Your views and opinions matter

Learning how to make decisions that are right for you is an important life skill.

What you need and want is very important when making decisions. That doesn’t mean you’ll always get to do exactly what you want. But it does mean you have a right to say what you think and for those views to be taken seriously by the people around you.

We know that people are more likely to listen to what we have to say if we can explain what we want clearly.

Sometimes we know our views and opinions have been heard because something happens as a result. However, at other times we can feel we haven’t been heard as nothing has changed.

This can be frustrating or upsetting. If you feel this way maybe we can help. You can contact us here.

You can find tips and links that can help you plan for meetings and conversations in the drop downs below.

Most people feel they’re not listened to some of the time. This can feel frustrating or upsetting. However, it’s important to remember that it’s your right to have your views taken seriously and there may be things you can do to help that happen. Here are some things to think about:

• If you don’t feel you’re being asked for your views on the decisions that affect you try to tell the people making decisions, you want to be part of the process.
• If you’re not sure what you’re being asked about, say so! You have the right for things to be explained in a way you can understand.
• If you need time to think or prepare your thoughts and views say so. Sometimes it can be difficult to say what you think immediately, especially if you’re feeling, nervous, worried or upset.
• If you don’t understand some of the words or instructions, ask for them to be explained or written in a way you can understand.
• If you can’t answer a question or decide something because you need more information or time say so. If you like things written down so you can read and think about it later, ask for this.

If you have time, try, and organise what you want to say. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• You can use a mind map or diagram to get your thoughts organised.
• You can write a list of what’s important to you and why.
• You can arrange your views into things you want to happen and what you don’t want to happen.
• You can make a pros and cons list
• Draw what you think would be the ideal outcome. For example, the right support in school, what you’d like life at college to be like, your ideal job.
• Voice record your thoughts and views so you can listen back at a later time or share your recording with others to help them understand what you want to happen.

Sometimes you might need help to work out what you want or how to voice it. Some people find it helps to talk to someone to help get things clear in their mind. This person could be someone who knows you well, like a parent or carer, a friend, or a trusted adult, maybe a teacher.

Sometimes it can help to talk to someone who is independent that you can trust. This is where we may be able to help. Our Child and Young Person’s Workers are here to support you. 

• We always start by listening to what you have to say.
• We try to find a way to meet or talk that’s right for you. This may be on the phone, using email, in person or virtually on Zoom.
• We can help record your thoughts and ideas in words, a mind map, a diagram, or a picture. In fact, in any way that works for you!
• We may be able to attend meetings with you in person or virtually.

If you think you’d like us to help you can contact us here

Below you can find links to more detailed information on your rights and the law. 

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – UNICEF UK

Feeling listened to – rights4children

UN Rights of the Child Animation

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)

It can be really hard to hold all you want to say or share in your head. If you’re going to have a conversation or go to a meeting about something important, it can be helpful to record in some way what you want to say.

Here are some links to resources you can use to help you record your thoughts, views and opinions that you may then use in meetings or for an EHC plan assessment.

Amy’s Education, Health & Care plan (EHCP) resource.

This is Me – form for young people’s views for an EHC needs assessment 2020