Consultation
Only a small proportion of young people will want or be able to fully participate in developing policy, services or the things that are happening in the communities where they live.   However, Young Devon recognise that in order for services to gain a full insight into the young service users they are responsible for, a wide range of consultation techniques need to be deployed that will fit the needs of young people who are often excluded or face barriers to getting their thoughts on to the agenda.   Increasingly services recognise the range of activities they need to establish to get this right and see consultation in broader terms than a ‘one-off’ activity that only seeks the views of the same (usually eloquent) group of young people.   Young Devon support these services to implement measures ranging from simple through to complex including:

• Advising on effective data capture and monitoring systems
• Correct use of simple systems such as suggestion boxes, evaluation techniques, questionnaires and having an easily accessible system for young people to give feedback
• User led surveys using complex computer software such as Priority Research
• Action Research in targeted and universal focus groups
• Enabling young people to gain skills so they can facilitate consultation activities themselves
• Providing training to those who work with and want to hear from young people so they become more effective
• Creating resources & tools that help consultation to be implemented

Young Devon use consultation to develop and monitor its own services and performance but are sometimes commissioned to conduct time-limited consultations on a specific issue and we have a code of practice in this respect:

1. That children & young people will be informed fully about the rationale for the consultation
2. That it is conducted on a voluntary association basis
3. That it is only for the benefit and purpose of improving services from the perspective of the child/young person
4. That its outcome will be transparent and feedback will be given to the young people
5. That there is a genuine intention and clear plan to act upon its findings whenever possible
6. That confidentiality will never be compromised

• That it does not waste resources by duplicating an existingly known consultation conducted elsewhere and within a relevant timeframe.

 

Selection of Consultations Conducted by Young Devon: