What was the pilot about?
The Young People’s Participation Pathway (YPPP) was a pilot intervention designed to enhance the direct participation of young people in care proceedings by enabling them to meet regularly with the judges responsible for decisions about their futures. Traditionally, children are represented indirectly in court through professionals – but this often leaves them (and young people in particular) feeling excluded and disempowered.
The YPPP was developed by Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and builds on other work, including the Adolescent Court Project piloted in Coventry and Warwickshire (2017–2020). It aimed to address the ‘participation gap’ by offering structured, judge-led meetings supported by a MyPlan document that helps young people articulate their views and think about what they want their life to be like. The pilot was implemented without any additional financial resources.
“I wasn’t frightened of the outcome anymore. The judge explained the outcome of the session was for my best interests and it was to look after me and safeguard me and that made me feel more at ease… I felt I could put all my trust in her because I knew she’d do something good for me.”
A young person in the pilot
Findings
- Meeting with and speaking to judges made many of the young people involved in our pilot feel heard
- Although there was fairly widespread commitment to the idea of young people meeting with judges in principle, the pilot revealed some reservations and differences in perspective among professionals and parents
- Variations in practice hinted at resourcing issues; though some of the other practical challenges could be addressed through additional guidance and training
- Given their special role in advising on children’s best interests, future meetings with judges should also include Cafcass guardians
- Some judges reported a wider cultural shift, including meeting children more often outside of the pilot
If they haven’t got their XBox or their musical instrument or they’re missing the family dog, [these things are] massively more impactful than I think we realise… and these small things give a bit of hope. But also show that there is reflection from professionals on what the child is worried about and bothered about.”
Judge
Recommendations
- Offer meetings with judges – there is value for young people
- Integrate meetings into existing structures
- Co-design meeting tools with young people and practitioners
- Increase judicial dialogue and training
