ABSTRACT
Until the 1980s children’s views were not reflected in research. Subsequently researchers have begun to collect children’s and young people’s own accounts of their lives. This shift in practice has followed the recognition of children’s rights to participate in society, plus a growing concern and focus on the welfare of disadvantaged children (Boyden and Ennew, 1998). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has been a primary influence shaping this change of focus. Other legislation in the United Kingdom has also emphasised the importance of consulting children – including the Children Act 1989, the Code of Practice on Special Education Needs (Department for Education, 1994) and the recent Quality Protects programme. There is now a growing expectation and requirement that children and young people be consulted about decisions affecting their lives, and about the services provided for their use. A growing interest in the concepts of empowerment and participation in the political arena has been mirrored by an increasing awareness for the potential of user involvement in research.
