Young people meeting judges: What we learnt from a pilot with young people in care proceedings

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.

• 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

• 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