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7 Golden rules for participation

What are the Golden Rules?

The 7 Golden Rules for Participation are a set of principles that anyone working with children and young people can use. They inform adults what children and young people’s participation should feel like.

They were developed through consultation with children and young people and research with professional adults reflecting the knowledge and experience of those working to promote participation.

They can help adults:

  • understand what the United Nations means by participation, and
  • understand what they should do when helping children and young people take part in decision-making.

They can also help children and young people learn about their participation rights under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Download the 7 Golden Rules

Our Golden Rules symbols resource

Our Golden Rules symbols resource is a communication tool for children and young people who:

  • are non-verbal,
  • have speech and language difficulties, and/or
  • have additional support needs.

It can also be used to help communicate ideas and information about participation to very young children.

Symbols are images which are used to support text making the meaning clearer and easier to understand.  They can aid understanding which can increase involvement, choice and confidence.

If you want to use our Symbols resource with children and young people, it’s a good idea to look through the 7 Golden Rules pack first.

One of the 7 Golden Rules Symbols cards.

Resource: Guides  

Golden Rules Symbols cards

September 2016.

A resource designed to be printed out as a set of double-sided cards.

The Golden Rules in other languages

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