In October, P4YE supported a group of young people to participate in the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) Conference, providing a platform for them to share their lived experiences and influence conversations with a wider audience of professionals working with children and young people.
The conference created an opportunity for young people to be recognised as experts in their own experiences, ensuring their voices and perspectives were central to discussions about safeguarding, education, bullying and the support available to young people. this photo story and what it shows.
Behind the moment
P4YE co-delivered a workshop with Croydon Public Health representatives, Claire Mundle and Liz, exploring how data about young people in Croydon can be made more meaningful by involving young people throughout the process. The session highlighted the importance of consulting young people directly rather than making assumptions about what statistics mean or what their experiences look like.
Javelle and Ky'on joined a youth panel, sharing personal experiences and responding to questions from conference delegates. Dami chaired the discussion, supporting the young people as they addressed a room of professionals. Their contributions covered a range of important issues, including bullying, education, mental health, safeguarding and the way adults respond to young people's behaviour.
“"I feel it went quite well, I'm glad I got to mention most of the issues that matter to me."”
The conference was a significant opportunity for young people to have their voices heard by a wider audience of safeguarding and education professionals. They demonstrated confidence, courage and an ability to communicate difficult experiences in a way that challenged assumptions and encouraged reflection.
The workshop reinforced the importance of involving young people in interpreting data and shaping the services designed to support them. The youth panel also brought real-life experiences into professional discussions, highlighting the importance of listening, understanding the circumstances behind behaviour and responding with empathy rather than judgement.
Most importantly, the young people left feeling that they had been heard and had contributed something meaningful. Isha's reflection captured the importance of creating platforms where young people feel empowered to speak up and influence change.Key takeaway: Young people are the experts in their own experiences. When professionals genuinely listen, their voices can challenge assumptions, influence practice and help shape better support for others.
