The National Youth Agency (NYA) undertook a survey in Spring 2009 to identify the extent of children’s trusts and strategic partnerships’ use of Hear by Right, The NYA’s standards for the active involvement of children and young people.

Since the previous survey in 2007, awareness of Hear by Right as a participation framework has held steady at 98% and its use for mapping evidence of participation at 76%. Among those using Hear by Right, its use within local authority departments and across children and young people trust partnerships has spread. While some indicated difficulties in using it flexibly in their specific context, most found it an adaptable and useful mapping and planning tool, which had a direct bearing on leadership commitment, sustained participation activity and evidence of change in services and outcomes for children and young people.

One respondent concluded that:

‘I use Hear by Right as a graphic equaliser which allows us to monitor the Trust. One year you can be advanced, e.g. you have an active Children’s Champion, the next due to various factors there is only one in name and you are emerging. It is impossible to achieve and maintain any of the three levels therefore it should not be used as a kite mark but as a monitoring tool.’

The full report can be found below.