ABSTRACT
This chapter reflects on a model of collective participation that was intended to improve policy and service provision in the foster care system in Ireland. The complexities of the foster care system, its influence on the lived circumstances of the young people within it and also the outcomes of participation will be considered in order to reflect on the significance of this experience for young participants. While there are some limited examples of successful influence as a result of collective participation in this context, commentators maintain that, in general, participation rarely results in tangible influences that make a real difference to the lived experience of children and young people. Given the resource-intensive nature of participation, questions around its usefulness as a practice must be addressed particularly in the context of the foster care system. This chapter will build on previous discussions surrounding the personal benefits that can be accrued as a result of participation to demonstrate that these benefits may serve to ameliorate some of the challenging experiences that are features of foster care for young participants. To illustrate this argument, the discussion will draw on literature surrounding challenging experiences in foster care, and a secondary analysis of an empirical qualitative study that explored a rights-based model of collective participation.
