The convention that children should be seen and not heard is history. Today they are generally encouraged to speak their minds.
However, its important that their right to participate in decisions isn't applied arbitrarily. They should be able to expect it consistently from adults.
Thats why we in Wales are embedding this principle of participation in all services. For example, we've introduced statutory school councils for pupils in primary, secondary and special schools, and the Children and Young People's Assembly for Wales, called Funky Dragon.
We have also worked with the Participation Consortium and the Participation Unit within Save the Children Cymru to develop a set of national standards of participation, to make it normal for all organisations to involve children in decisions that affect them.
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