Participation and decision-making

Chapter 4 focuses on the importance of involving children and families in decision-making processes within social work practice. It provides an overview of the current legal and policy frameworks for participation, discusses the benefits and challenges of participation for all parties involved, and presents practical strategies for practitioners to effectively involve children and families in the decision-making process. Case studies and examples of good practice, as have been highlighted in our recent research, are also included to illustrate the practicalities of participation in decision-making practices in child and family social work. This includes an introduction to person-led approaches, which will be discussed in more depth in later chapters, including advocacy and Family Group Conferences, as well as creative practices such as young people chairing their own Child in Care Reviews. Ultimately, the chapter highlights current and future directions for participation and decision-making practices, emphasising the importance of empowering children and families to be active participants in the decision-making process.