Listening to Children Reference Group

Brief Description/Aims of the Group:  

This is a group for children and young people who receive services in County Durham i.e. have involvement with community support, pathfinder team, safeguarding team, disabled children and families team etc. The aim of the group is to effect change in the services children and young people receive. The group conduct research with children and young people accross the county seeking their views on what can be improved, what is done well etc. 

This research enables children and young people to have a say and ensures that they feel valued, listened to and able to contribute to service change which will improve their daily life experience. The reference group meets with senior managers regularly to engage in dialogue about their research and areas of development ensuring that change takes place based on the young people's views.

Location of work: 

County wide

Meeting Times and Dates:

The group meet as a minimum once a month 5.30- 6.30pm (Usually at the IiC office

Work to date:

Overseeing the Drive Project- The young people have been involved in reviewing the Drive scheme, evaluating the benefits of the scheme to young people and ensuring it is affordable.

Overseeing the Freedom Card- The young people have been involved in reviewing the Freedom Card scheme with a plan to now expand the venues available on the scheme and the numbers of children and young people who are able to access the scheme.

Listening to Children Newsletter- The group are involved in designing and preparing content for the Listening to Children newsletter which is published four times per year. This newsletter informs all children and young people across County Durham of the work and changes taking place within Safeguarding and specialist services being driven by children and young people.