How We Work

We have developed a thematic and holistic approach with underpins our active citizenship programme. The Children’s Parliament themes are:

• Who we are
• Where we live
• Freedom
• Health and happiness
• Feeling safe and being cared for
• Having our say

We work in and with communities, schools and families

Our approach is based on the development of open and honest relationships with children, on valuing their worth and their views and on a commitment to creating a space within which they feel safe, challenged and trusted. This means valuing the process of participation as a means of learning and gaining skills, as well as valuing the products of that process. The work is based on:

• Including all children
• Making enough time to allow ideas to unfold and deepen
• Understanding the needs of individual children and groups
• Using a range of creative arts as a way of exploring and expressing ideas and feelings
• Creating structure and boundaries and then allowing freedom within these