The Challenge
Too often, engagement with children and youth is treated as a procedural requirement rather than a genuine partnership. This can result unintentionally in child welfare professionals deciding “what is best” for children and youth rather than collaborating with them to determine what will help them thrive.
Many workers report feeling unprepared to facilitate authentic conversations or are unsure how to incorporate youth perspectives into planning. These deficits make it hard to create genuine, consistent relationships—and that’s where change must start.
