Aim/Learning Objective: Students will explore how we make decisions

1. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1 • Aim/Learning Objective: • Students will explore how we make decisions • Students will examine the levels of participation • Students will take part in a decision making exercise KEY WORDS: Article 12 Participation Decision making Politics Ladder STARTER TASK: Yes/No Game: The aim of the game is to answer the questions without saying yes or no for 30 seconds. It’s a lot harder than you think! Politicians’ have been practising this art for years by answering a question with a question, how well can you avoid giving a yes or no answer?

2. Learning outcomes for young people • Students will understand how their participation can impact on decisions made about their lives • Students will be able to differentiate between non-participation and participation • Students will have a better understanding of how to become involved in politics and having a voice • Awareness about the factors affecting decision-making in the group and their own role in this process • Awareness of how feelings can influence behaviour • Stereotyping and prejudices can also be linked within this process Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

3. Session Overview Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson

4. Kent Participation Ladder In order for young people to take part in decision making processes a level of participation is required to make it meaningful. Under Article 12 of the UNCRC (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) Level 6 is the minimum standard that is required. The following ladder describes the various levels of participation that a young person must go through to reach the upper rungs and full participation in decision making. • 8. Young people given power and responsibility for decision making • (UK Youth Parliament, Kent Youth County Council) • Young people are involved in decision-making at the point where decisions are made • (progressive Student Voice, Youth Advisory Groups, local youth forums, Youth Opportunity Fund Panels) • 6. Young people are involved in decision-making processes and are taken into account • (Youth Councils, forums, schools councils, young peoples interview panels) • Young people are encouraged to share views and experience and these are listened to by adults • (Questionnaires, survey’s, consultation work) • 4. Young people take part in adult run projects or services and give their views • (Senior Members at youth clubs, school representative, adult led youth forums) • 3. Young people are asked to say what they think about a project/service but have very little or no choice about how they express their views and opinions • 2. Young people take part in a project or event but have little understanding about why they are there • 1. Young people do and say what adults suggest Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson

5. Article 12 Article 12 (Respect for the views of the child): When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account. This does not mean that children can now tell their parents what to do. This Convention encourages adults to listen to the opinions of children and involve them in decision-making -- not give children authority over adults. Article 12 does not interfere with parents' right and responsibility to express their views on matters affecting their children. Moreover, the Convention recognizes that the level of a child’s participation in decisions must be appropriate to the child's level of maturity. Children's ability to form and express their opinions develops with age and most adults will naturally give the views of teenagers greater weight than those of a preschooler, whether in family, legal or administrative decisions. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

6. Activity 1 Ladder of Participation • Split class into 4 groups and give each group a set of cards and a participation ladder • Group to match up the word on the card to the appropriate level of participation on the ladder. • Answers can be found on previous slide Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

7. Activity 2 Space Colony Divide into groups of five. Each group has the same task to complete. They must imagine that they are a member of a new space colony. They are required to re-create conditions similar to those found on Earth, which will include having a number of young people from diverse backgrounds in your community. You are looking to intake 5 young people to make up the numbers of the new group that has been set up, but unfortunately you have been sent 9. Your task is to reject or exclude 4 young people and they will be jettisoned into space. You only have the information on the cards provided to make your decisions. Each group will feedback what the group discussed. Review questions How did the group decide what to do first?... What were the key influencing factors? Did everyone agree?... How did the group cope with disagreements?... How did this feel? Where in the ladder of participation would you fit your decision making? EACH STUDENT MUST TAKE ON THE ROLE OF ONE OF THE CHARACTERS AND CHAMPION FOR THEIR PLACE ON THE SPACESHIP. ONLY 5 OUT OF THE 9 INDIVIDUALS CAN BE SELECTED. A TEAM DECISION SHOULD BE MADE Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson1

8. Have You Participated? • A quick and useful way of finding out the impact of this workshop and the level of understanding of participation and decision making. • A print out or hand-drawn copy of the target on a large sheet can be adapted from the template or an A4 photocopy per young person • Marker pens • Ask participant to place a cross in each of the four sections of the ‘dartboard’. Place it near the bull’s-eye for a positive response and towards the outside for a more negative one. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

9. Lesson Outcome Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

10. Participation Ladder Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

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12. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

13. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

14. Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1

15. Further Resources: www.kent.gov.uk/kycc - link to Kent Youth County Council www.dopolitics.org.uk/ - easy access to educational materials www.education.gov.uk/ - national support for youth participation www.participationworks.org.uk/ - online gateway for young people’s participation www.publicengagement.ac.uk/how/guides/.../young-people - teaching resources for youth participation Young People and Participation Session Key stage 4 lesson 1