Home

Committee Members

Aims and Beliefs

Contact Us

Campaigning

Anti-bullying

Participation

Consultancy

Social Exclusion

Bilingualism

Identity Development

Parent Support

Deaf Identity

Think-Hearing Identity

Parent Programme

Research

Framework For Action

Best Value Review

Feasibility Study

Case Studies

Publications

Donations

Feedback

Newsletter

Links

In line with the government's drive to involve users of services, DEX supports public authorities with their duty to comply with legislation that requires consultation or involvement: the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, the Children Act 2004 and its Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda, the Local Government Act 1999 and Health and Social Care Act 2001. ECM and the Children and Young People's Unit clearly state that there must be transparent engagement with all children in every local authority and NHS Trust.

The UNESCO Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education (1994) also states:

(67) “Organisations of people with disabilities, i.e. those in which they themselves have a decisive influence – should be invited to take an active part in identifying needs, expressing views on priorities,administering services, evaluating performance and advocating change”.

Each public authority must draw up a Children and Young People's Plan in conjunction with children and young people, as part of the ECM initiative. It is, therefore, a duty for all service providers to ensure that all users are involved effectively, and this means contracting-in experienced external facilitators. Internal participation exercises by service or school staff cannot be effective since young participants need to feel able to disclose their views without fear of backlash or compromise.