The listen to me project: Creating lasting changes in voice and participation for children in care through a youth-led project. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damiani-Taraba, Gissele; Sky, Iona; Hegler, Dakota; Woolridge, Nicholas; Anderson, Blake; Koster, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Child & youth services. Volume 39:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: child welfare -- voice and participation -- youth in care; Child welfare -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; Child health services -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; Youth -- Services for -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1080/0145935X.2018.1446825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-935X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this article, we present the results from a youth-led project on the voices and participation of children in state care in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of this project was for youth to share their voice about what they wish child protection workers and agencies could do to improve their experiences within the child protection system. Many youth in care in Canada and internationally report that their voices are not heard and that they are not involved in decisions involving their care. Seven themes were extracted from this voices of youth project asking child welfare workers and agencies to listen to [them] and believe [them], keep [them] informed and be honest, involve [them] in decisions, support [them], keep [them] connected, ; ignite [their] passions, and don't give up on [them]. Suggestions from the youth involved in this project are offered on ways to create true and meaningful change in child welfare.