Created with young people, for young people, our youth participation framework, Hear by Right, supports organisations to plan, develop and evaluate their participation practices to ensure youth voice remains front and centre.
About Hear by Right
Every young person has the right to be listened to…
Especially when it comes to decisions about services that are designed to support them.
”“Every young person has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them and to have their views considered and taken seriously.”
Article 12The UN Convention on the rights of the child
Organisations working with young people flourish when young people are consulted and feel valued.
Hear by Right is a free self-assessment framework which supports organisations to plan, develop and evaluate their participation practices. Created with young people, it seeks to empower children and young people to understand their rights and use their voice.
It is relevant for anyone working with children and young people, in particular youth work leaders, to promote the involvement of children and young people in the policies and practices that impact on their lives.
What are the benefits of Hear by Right?
The Hear by Right process:
- holds you accountable for the way you deliver and advocate for youth participation.
- encourages organisations to develop more critical thinking and collaborative working.
- creates sustained meaningful outcomes for young people by the curation of more youth informed practice.
- promotes co-production and teamworking with young people.
- can help strengthen funding applications which require evidence of youth voice or participation.
”“Completing the Hear by Right framework has enabled Creative Youth Network to reflect on youth participation within the organisation. Having established a youth participation strategy with young people that engage in our programmes in 2022, the Hear by Right framework provided us with an opportunity to identify areas in which youth participation could be embedded further into the organisation, helping us to really develop ways of working and progressing our plans for integral youth participation across the organisation.”
Kate WebbHead of Creative and Youth Participation Lead, Creative Youth Network
What are the outcomes of Hear by Right?
Hear by Right supports organisations to improve their services for young people through a variety of activities, such as:
- A youth voice network
- Department participation leads
- Article 12 and participation training
- Young Trustees
- Participation strategies
How does Hear by Right work?
There are a number of underpinning principles of Hear by Right:
- Equality, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Youth Voice and Influence
- Evidence of Impact
Using the Hear by Right self assessment tool, your organisation will reflect, respond and review on where youth participation can add value to the 7 S’s outlined by McKinsey: Structures, Systems, Style, Staff, Skills, Strategy and Shared values.
Through this process you will begin to see the benefits of integrating youth voice in every aspect of your organisation’s decision making and delivery.
There are two levels of Hear by Right.
Select which is most appropriate for your organisation in the short form below to access your free self-assessment tools. You can view supporting guidance here.
Active Level
Active level is aimed at organisations which are relatively new to youth participation. Through the Hear by Right process they will be able to implement good youth participation practices. They will also put in place the structures and the environment to enable young people to express their views and opinions.
Flagship Level
Flagship level aims to build and evidence the impact of excellent youth participation in organisations that already involve young people in their activities. The Flagship level requires you to have a group of young people who act as Hear by Right facilitators, championing the development of youth voice and influence within your organisation.
Sharing your learning
We are keen for any organisation that completes Hear by Right to share what they have learned and how their youth participation practices have helped improve outcomes.
Complete the case study form below to help build our evidence base on the impact of the Hear by Right framework.
Download the Hear by Right case study form here.
How can NYA help you?
We have designed Hear by Right as an easy to use self-assessment tool however if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact us at hearbyright@nya.org.uk
Free youth participation practice training is available via our CPD catalogue to support you to upskill staff.
For those organisations looking for more tailored support to develop your skills or help develop your service offer, please contact us via consultancy@nya.org.uk
FAQs
How much does Hear by Right cost?
Hear by Right is a free self assessment, therefore there is no cost.
How long does Hear by Right take?
Hear by Right is flexible to the needs of your organisation. On average it takes between 10 and 12 months to complete.
Do we have to be a Youth Work organisation to undertake Hear by Right?
No, you don’t – this assessment is for all organisations working with young people aged 8-25.
Can Hear by Right be undertaken by any grassroots organisation or charity working with young people?
Yes it can. Hear by Right is designed to support small, medium and large organisations.
How does assessment take place?
NYA provides all the downloadable documents for you to undertake a self-assessment.
