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 attention 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. The purpose of this article 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.

Keywords:

• participation
• child welfare and protection
• Lundy model
• social work
• children

Additional information

Funding

This research was conducted as part of the Development and Mainstreaming Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Study, which is supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies Ireland; Galway University Foundation; the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Notes on contributors

Danielle Kennan

Danielle Kennan is a Lecturer in the School of Political Science and Sociology and a researcher with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway. She is currently Co-Principal Investigator on a study exploring the extent to which children and young people's participation in decision-making is embedded in the structures and culture of Tusla - the national Child and Family Agency. Danielle holds a LL.M in Human Rights and Criminal Justice (Queens University, Belfast) and a PhD in Sociology (NUI Galway).

Bernadine Brady

Dr Bernadine Brady is a Lecturer at the School of Political Science & Sociology and a Researcher with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI, Galway. Her research interests include youth mentoring, participation, civic engagement and evidence based practice in youth work. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from UCD, an MA in Community Development from NUI, Galway and a PhD in Sociology from NUI Galway.

Cormac Forkan

Dr Cormac Forkan is a Lecturer in the School of Political Science and Sociology at NUI, Galway and is the Programme Director for the BA Youth and Family Studies. Cormac is affiliated with the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway and has acted as the lead researcher on a number of significant national research Projects, related to youth cafes, children's participation and family support. He holds a BA degree from NUI, Maynooth and a Phd in Sociology from NUI, Galway.