Here at the Saints Study Centre we have recently achieved, (March 2008)   the Bronze level Active Involvement Charter Mark Award. This measures to what extent and how meaningfully we involve children and young people in our organisation. This award has been written to enable organisations who are members of The Northamptonshire Children and Young People’s Partnership, like us, to demonstrate that they actively involve children and young people in making important decisions and shaping the services that they receive.

Part of this accreditation involves making all our children and young people aware of the Charter of Involvement. So here goes! The Charter is made up of seven sections: shared values, strategies, structures, systems, staff, skills and knowledge and style of leadership.

Shared Values: The principles of this charter are built on shared values that the organistion and children and young people can agree to. The active involvement of children and young people works best when it is built upon shared values that are visible, resourced, respected, accessible and safe.

Strategies: A plan for involving children and young people should be developed that includes the organisation’s principles, values and approach toward active involvement.

Structures: The arrangements for involving children and young people should be clear and strong. The arrangements will include proper policies that ensure that children and young people know how they can be involved, and how they will be kept safe and sound.

Systems: Children and young people’s consent, safety, access, rewards for involvement, training and support needs must always be considered.

Staff: A culture of involving children and young people in the recruitment, selection and induction of new staff should be developed. Staff should be educated, supported and trained to involve children and young people in making decisions and shaping services that affect them.

Skills and Knowledge: Building the skills and knowledge of everyone involved in involving children and young people is very important in making change happen. Everyone needs to be able to access information  they can understand to enable them to make informed choices and decisions.

Style of Leadership: Strong and committed leadership is very important when trying to change the involvement of children and young people for the better. Leaders should be able to support their staff to understand the need for change and to make sure that it happens well. 

Now we have successfully achieved the Bronze level we hope to progress as soon as possible to the Silver level in the near future.  These Awards are designed to build your (all children and young people) active involvement in decision making and shaping the services we deliver to you whilst at the Saints Study Centre.