Children and young people's participation: from having a say to having influence

There has been a clear shift in the adult notion that children and young people should be seen and not heard. Children and young people still experience a form of social exclusion however, based upon their status as minors in a society where the adult world, with of course some serious exceptions, embraces the responsibility to provide for and look after them so that they can be safe and have the best possible future. Yet children and young people are more than 'our future'. They have rights right here, right now enshrined in state, national and international law. This paper argues that children and young people with an out of home care experience, being exposed to a greater degree of state intervention and control, experience even greater social exclusion than most. Participation is considered a viable tool for children and young people in care to move from a position of exclusion to inclusion. A number of overseas participation initiatives are examined to find the 'kernels' that are essential to maximise the impact of participation. How can children and young people themselves contribute to find resolutions to the key challenges and issues they face living as they do within the child protection system? Are child welfare professionals prepared to challenge current practices and champion within their sphere of influence for a higher level of participation for children and young people