How we authentically hear and respond to the voice of children and young people in the Diocese of Leicester is incredibly important to us.
It’s why we’ve spent the last few school years running a termly listening process, where children and young people lead on agenda setting, sense making and reporting.
During the spring and summer term this year, the theme chosen by young people was Safeguarding, with the listening campaign created in partnership with our Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
We heard from 107 young voices between the ages of 7 and 17 years, made up of 49 children and 58 young people across three primary schools, one secondary school and eight church groups.
The study revealed; when asked who was in their ‘inner circle of trust’ – parents and grandparents came out on top, followed by siblings and friends. As one young person said, “trust is related to effort put into relationship. People often trust those they spend the most time with and know the deepest.”
We discovered safe space is different for everyone. Some common threads included places where children and young people felt calm, peaceful, and relaxed, often with family, friends, and pets. Familiarity was very important. The outdoors was mentioned a lot with almost no mention of technology and the internet.
The report concluded the best way to share safeguarding information is in person. Children and young people suggested meeting key people was most important. Online information and posters were least effective.
You can read the report here or read a summary.
Talking about the listening exercise and considering the reaction and actions made by children and young people around the subject of safeguarding, Matt Long, Youth Engagement & Intergenerational Communities Enabler, said:
"Children and young people are increasingly aware that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility (including theirs).
“There were some great examples of creative safeguarding practice, including ‘worry boxes’ being used in Primary Schools and ‘courageous advocacy’ through student voices on school councils.
“I was fascinated to see how ‘familiarity’ emerged as a key theme in trusting relationships, safe space and sharing safeguarding information in person. And surprised by how much the outdoors was mentioned over digital spaces – how might this shape our practice as children and youth workers? Are we over-protecting our children and young people in the physical world? And under-protecting them online?"
Reflecting on the responses from listening groups, the Bishops’ Children & Youth Council set three key findings for Bishop Martyn and our Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Rachael Spiers, to respond to by video.
They were:
- Children and young people feel safest when those around them and their environment are familiar.
- Safe places often involved food and being outside.
- Safe places and sharing information are better in real life (IRL), rather than online.
They asked Bishop Martyn and Rachael: What can we learn from these three things, and what can we action in response?
You can watch their video response here: