Space, Voice, Audience and Influence: The Lundy Model of Participation (2007) in Child Welfare Practice

Abstract

According to Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and young people have a legal right to have their views heard and acted upon as appropriate. The Lundy model of participation (2007) was developed to aid practitioners to meaningfully and effectively implement a child's right to participate by focusing them on the distinct but interrelated elements of Article 12. While Lundy's conceptualisation has been widely welcomed in research, policy and practice, there is a dearth of examples in the literature regarding how the concepts of space, voice, audience and influence can be operationalised in child welfare practice. This paper draws on findings from a mixed methods study of child protection and welfare services in Ireland to illustrate how practitioners working in child protection and welfare services action these concepts in practice. The analysis focuses on the The purpose of this paper is to share examples of how practitioners working in Ireland's child protection and welfare services implement these concepts in practice. Drawing on practitioners' personal testimonies and a selection of reports published by Ireland's social care inspectorate, it sets out illustrative examples of approaches taken by professionals when seeking to create a safe and inclusive space for children and young people to express a view, approaches to supporting them to express that view and to ensuring it is listened to and acted upon as appropriate.

A Critical Overview of the Significance of Power and Power Relations in Practice with Children in Foster Care: Evidence from an Irish Study

“…(2008) that we should consider young person's power as product with great potential over processes of intervention (Smith, 2008). Developments within Ireland (for example) with regard to their participation strategy are vehicles to help drive this recommendation forward as advancements are already evident since this study was completed (see Lundy, 2007;Kennan et al, 2016;Hogan & O' Reilly, 2007). e would also emphasise more strongly the necessity for practitioners and policy makers to appreciate the level of powerlessness a young person in care can experience as a form of constraint where they often have limited say or decision making power.…”

“…One may expect, as in the case of the participants discussed here, given a chance they would add more depth and insight to our understanding of power and power relations based on their in-depth and intensive experience of helping to balance and manage power relations as a core part of their child protection work, And balanced with that, the potential positive use of these powers to advocate for, promote the rights of and listen carefully, respectfully and attentively to the young person in care and after their care experience can be emphasised. Following from this, we need to progress the development of a culture for alternative care services which shifts away from paternalistic and passive engagement with young people and gives greater space for partnership and co-production with young people (see Lundy, 2007;Kennan et al, 2016). We suggest that advancing this using the ecological framework, with an emphasis on interactions and proximal processes, alongside theories of power.…”

Too Vulnerable to Participate? Challenges for Meaningful Participation in Research With Children in Alternative Care and Adoption

“…In this sense, it is especially important in these contexts to consider these issues and not take participation for granted. It is crucial to create safe environments when working with children (Kennan et al, 2019;Lundy, 2007) and enable diverse methods (beyond verbal ones) to allow children to express themselves.…”

“…Researchers should have the attitude of positioning themselves as adults who are interested in and want to learn from children (Mayall, 2000). The researchers must commit to respecting their part of the deal and attend regularly and on time any meetings throughout the process (Kennan et al, 2019;Laws & Mann, 2004). Consistency, perseverance, and continuity are key attitudes and practices in this relationship.…”

Adults’ Endorsement of Children’s Protection and Participation Rights and Likelihood of Reporting Abuse

“…Coyne and Harder's (2011) qualitative study of children's participation in the context of Irish health care settings highlight the 'protective stance' of parents and health professionals over and above that of the child's competence to participate per se and the author's recommend a more situational approach to assessment of children's participatory competence. Although children's rights experts may see participation by children and adolescents as being protective against abuse and exploitation (Feinstein & O'Kane, 2009;Kennan, Brady, & Forkan, 2019;Kilkelly, 2012), it may not be recognised as such by non-experts. Participation supports children's resilience, which can play an important role in prevention and recovery from abuse.…”