Style of leadership
Indicators
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7.1 - Key managers and leaders act as champions for the active involvement of children and young people, with clearly identified responsibilities
7.2 - Managers and leaders support innovation on active involvement, accepting risks of mistakes and are committed to reflection and learning
7.3 - Managers and leaders in the organisation publicly acknowledge and celebrate the active involvement of children and young people and take an active part in key consultation and participation events
7.4 - A leadership programme for managers and children and young people is established, based on the principles of active involvement
7.5 - Children and young people have a range of opportunities to meet senior staff, elected members or trustees to be included in decision making and promote active involvement
7.6 - The organisation demonstrates to partner organisations an open style of leadership, collaboration and shared objectives on the active involvement of children and young people
7.7 - Leadership of specific projects and appropriate services involves both children and young people and adults
Things to think about...questions to ask...
- What is the best style of leadership to help one-off examples of involving children and young people get established in the decision-making fabric of the organisation?
- How can champions show enough leadership without letting everyone else off the hook?
- How will the organisation demonstrate to children and young people that it is serious about their involvement?
- Will leaders hold firm to their commitments when the pressure is on, things go wrong and finances are tight?
- Will the organisation demonstrate to partners the benefits of the active involvement of children and young people?
- How will leaders manage conflicting views among children and young people, staff, elected members, trustees and partners?
- Are young people leading projects with appropriate support?
Evidence (paper, verbal, observation)...
- A high profile champion, with clear remit and enough seniority to manage change
- An annual report identifying and celebrating progress in promoting children and young people's participation
- Published service level agreements or compact with partner organisations that reflects commitment to children and young people
- Joint events and training with partners promoting children and young people's active involvement
- Minutes of meetings explaining leadership decisions
- Positive publicity and media coverage
- What do children and young people say about how this standard is being met? What are their priorities?
Commentary
Leadership is always vital, especially during a time of change. Promoting the participation of children and young people means change in an organisation’s culture and requires leadership with courage and clout among staff, elected members, trustees and children and young people themselves. While dedicated staff will be needed to establish and develop good working practices with children and young people, support at a senior and executive level will be essential to champion the cause and build in the structures, systems and resources for maximum impact. As active involvement gets bedded in, leadership style will become increasingly based on partnership and cooperation, among elected members or Trustees, staff, partners and children and young people.