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Service evaluation of a training initiative in participatory practice with children and young people for early help professionals

Bernadette Martin (Participation Team, Anna Freud Centre, London, UK)
Julie Fox (Children’s Social Care Services, Leicester City Council, Leicester, UK)
Philip John Archard (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Department of Education and Training, The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK and School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK)
Steven Lucas (School of Social Science, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK)
Karima Susi (Psychological Therapies, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK and Department of Education and Training, The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK)
Michelle O’Reilly (School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy and School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK and Families, Young People, Children’s, Learning Disability and Autism Services Directorate, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester, UK)

Journal of Children's Services

ISSN: 1746-6660

Article publication date: 19 November 2024

Issue publication date: 25 November 2024

43

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a service evaluation of a training initiative in participatory practice with children and young people (CYP) for early help (EH) professionals. The training was based on the Lundy model of child participation.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken of staff completing the training. Within the sample of professionals surveyed, various work contexts were represented.

Findings

Reported benefits arising from the training included increased understanding of the utility of the tenets of the Lundy model, as well as changes in practice with CYP. Barriers and issues encountered in seeking to work in a participatory way were identified in relation to time for relationship-building, resources and interprofessional and interagency working.

Originality/value

The evaluation findings provide insight into ways training in participatory practice with CYP is experienced by EH professionals. The role of networks of practitioner champions in influencing participatory practice is also addressed, as well as the interface between participatory and relationship-based practice.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This service evaluation received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors wish to extend their thanks to all the professionals who completed the survey questionnaire.

Citation

Martin, B., Fox, J., Archard, P.J., Lucas, S., Susi, K. and O’Reilly, M. (2024), "Service evaluation of a training initiative in participatory practice with children and young people for early help professionals", Journal of Children's Services, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-06-2023-0034

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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