Better decision making

The problem: Children are rarely involved in decisions that concern their care and protection

Their best interests are often ignored. Because of this, children are placed in large-scale institutions or other forms of inadequate care. Within families and in the formal care system, children are often excluded from decision making about their care which can make them feel frustrated and sometimes lead them to leave their homes.

Our Goal: Promoting better and more participatory decision making about children’s care

It is important to listen to and respond to children, and to recognise their role in decisions about their own lives, including decisions about whether or not they should be with their families. Children’s right to participate in decisions which affect them is recognised by international guidance. All decisions about children’s care need to be made on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that their individual voices are respected, and their views have to always be considered.