The CHANCE (Changing How Adults Notice Children’s Experience) group
Summary:
The Changing How Adults Notice Children’s Experience (CHANCE) group is a peer-led participation group based in Rotherham Youth Justice Service. The group shares their experiences of education, social care, youth justice and the police.
Description:
The CHANCE group works with children that are involved with the youth justice service to use their own experience and skills to improve the delivery of services in Rotherham. The group ensures that services include children’s voices at the heart of everything they do.
Sessions last one and a half hours and the number of participants can vary from 5 up to 10. The group uses drama, music, art, poetry, and research to capture the voice of children in Rotherham.
Due to the success of the group, CHANCE is now developing events, resources and recommendations for other services who work with children in Rotherham.
The project is funded through the youth justice budget and is allocated around £1,500 each year.
Outcomes:
The CHANCE group has been a successful initiative with none of the children who have participated in the group gone on to reoffend. Since 2021-2022 the group has contributed to multiple strategic plans, created child-friendly versions of policies and procedures and presented at meetings including ‘changing lives’ meetings.
The main barrier to the group has been the low numbers of children taking part. However, the service has seen an increase since Turnaround.
Contact:
| Name | Devon Ferns |
| Devon.Ferns@rotherham.gov.uk |