The participation of children and young people in care: insights from an analysis of national inspection reports in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

The term 'participation' is widely used to refer to the involvement of children and young people in decision-making on issues that affect their lives. The Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is the national inspectorate for social care in Ireland. HIQA monitors Tusla, Ireland's child and family agency, for compliance with national children's standards, including standards on children and young people's participation rights. This paper outlines findings of a secondary analysis of data in relation to participation standards in HIQA foster care, residential care and special care inspection reports over a two-year period from 2013-2015 (n=40). The thematic analysis explores the degree to which the reports found that children in care are provided with the opportunity to influence decisions in relation to their everyday lives, to participate in child in care reviews, receive information, avail of advocacy services and have access to a complaints mechanism. While there is much evidence of good practice across all sectors, some notable differences between the realisation of participation standards in residential care and foster care were found. This baseline analysis was undertaken prior to the implementation of a comprehensive participation strategy by Tusla across the organisation and highlights areas in which practice can be improved or mainstreamed in this work programme.

Exploring the multi-dimensionality of permanence and stability: Emotions, experiences and temporality in young people’s discourses about long-term foster care in Ireland

“…Despite evidence of 'best practice' participatory standards in targeted programmes for young people in care, Brady et al (2019) underline systemic gaps around young people's access to complaints mechanisms in care systems, in their analysis of reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). 6 Despite calls for child welfare systems to promote 'respect, collaboration and accountability' internationally (O'Brien, 2002: 66), findings from Winter et al (2017) highlight that young people's interactions with social workers are sometimes negative, non-participatory and destabilise care placements.…”

“…Despite evidence of ‘best practice’ participatory standards in targeted programmes for young people in care, Brady et al. (2019) underline systemic gaps around young people’s access to complaints mechanisms in care systems, in their analysis of reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).…”

Professional Practice in Child Protection and the Child's Right to Participate

“…Participation is seen as one of the key protective factors for vulnerable children (Diaz et al, 2018). It is emphasised that the participation of children in care, who may have been victimised, is an important step in helping the child to regain a feeling of control in their life (Leeson, 2007) as well as a sense of agency (Brady et al, 2019;Cashmore, 2002). Participation supports children's sense of identity and prevents them from becoming outsiders in their own lives .…”

Young peoples' involvement in welfare service development—Is voice enough?—A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies

“…Young people need to be heard and to take an active role in developing welfare services. Involvement as coproducers results in services that are more relevant, predictable and suited to young people's requirements 1,2 . When they are recognized as having skills and expertize, the advantages that young people's involvement brings to both themselves and the organizations include mobilization and empowering with an impact on national decision‐making 3 .…”

“…Involvement as coproducers results in services that are more relevant, predictable and suited to young people's requirements. 1 , 2 When they are recognized as having skills and expertize, the advantages that young people's involvement brings to both themselves and the organizations include mobilization and empowering with an impact on national decision‐making. 3 Including young people in decision‐making processes reduces the imbalance of power.…”