Investing in children (IIC)

What is Investing in Children?

Investing in Children is an organisation concerned with the human rights of children and young people. This means asking questions about the way children and young people are treated in society. Where it is clear that the rights of children and young people are being ignored, Investing in Children works to support children and young people themselves, and adults, to challenge and change situations.

Investing in Children Development Agency

Investing in Children which was originally developed by Durham County Council and Durham and Darlington Health Authority now has over 10 years experience of supporting young people and organisations to uphold the rights of young people as citizens now. The expansion of Investing in Children is currently being facilitated by a series of partnerships with public sector agencies across the country known as the Development Agency.

Investing in Children Development Agency

Investing in Children has a statement of underlying principles and expectations which all partners must sign up to. The Investing in Children Development Agency believes that:

Children and young people are citizens now:

As citizens, they have the right to participate in decisions that effect them.
This places a responsibility on agencies to open up their processes and engage children and young people in dialogue.
Dialogue is different from consultation.
Children and young people know about what is happening around them (what they have referred to as their ‘lived lives’).
Dialogue should be aimed at bringing about improvements in their lived lives.
The means of engaging children and young people must be inclusive and respect the democratic rights of all.

In becoming an IiC partner, we expect partners to be able to demonstrate that:

There is a clear strategy for developing, publicising and sustaining dialogue with all children and young people who wish to be involved.
Responsibility for children and young people’s participation is accepted collectively, across the partnership, and members of the partnership hold each other accountable for this.
Children and young people are treated with respect and honesty, and their contribution is acknowledged as important.
Children and young people have access to the agenda, and are able to initiate dialogue on issues identified by them.
Key decision-makers make themselves available to talk and listen to children and young people.
Sufficient resources, including staff time, are committed to supporting children and young people to engage in dialogue.
The process has resulted in change, recognised as significant by children and young people.

To find out more about the work of Investing in Children please visit the main website at www.iic-uk.org