Children and young people’s participation in social welfare

Children and young people want to be involved in decisions that affect them

The participation of children and young people must be strengthened and space for it must be found in everyday life. We need to ask children and young people: What is important to you?  

Participation improves the quality and results of services. In social welfare services, professionals are responsible for the participation of children and young people.

What is the participation of children and young people?

• The experience of being able to influence one’s own life and the experience of belonging to a group.
• Decision-making power in one’s own life, opportunities to influence social issues and reciprocity in social relationships.
• The opportunity to get sufficient and understandable information about matters and services that concern them.

Why is participation important?

• The Act on the Status and Rights of Social Welfare Clients stipulates that the wishes and opinions of underage clients must be ascertained and taken into account in a manner appropriate to their age and level of development.
• Children and young people have the right to be heard as individuals in matters concerning them.
• A child’s sense of security is strengthened by the knowledge that their guardian accepts their own opinion.
• Respecting a child or young person also means accepting their silence or refusal to participate.

How can we promote the participation of children and young people in services?

Ensure that

• the child or young person feels safe
• the child or young person is noticed, seen and heard the way they are
• the child or young person’s way of expressing themself is respected and, if necessary, supported
• the language and cultural needs of children and young people are taken into account
• the child or young person’s special needs are taken into account
• the child or young person’s privacy is respected
• the child or young person’s right to self-determination is respected, considering their age and level of development
• the child or young person is informed of decisions and the reasons for them, even when it is not possible to act in accordance with their wishes.

Ensure that professionals have

• knowledge and expertise on the principles of child, young person and guardian participation
• knowledge of the application of the principle of the best interests of the child in decision-making in a responsible and ethical manner
• methods for implementing the participation of children and young people
• access to various methods and participation tools in services for children and young people.

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Tool published on 22 May 2023.

The tool was verified up to date on 15 August 2025. No changes were made.