ABSTRACT

In this chapter we will turn our attention to the child’s voice and how it can be foregrounded in our provision. Before beginning it may be worthwhile to remind ourselves of the rationale for this discussion. The context for considering children’s voice in planning has been firmly set by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the 54 Articles of which were ratified by the United Kingdom in 1991. Of particular relevance to this chapter is Article 12, which states that signatories:

shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.