Why children's voices matter
The voices, experiences, and perspectives of children and young people on the move are central to understanding and improving integration support. Their insights provide invaluable guidance on what works, what doesn't, and what changes are needed to better support their integration journey.
Children and young people bring unique perspectives on their own experiences, challenges, and strengths. They understand the day-to-day realities of navigating new systems, learning new languages, building relationships, and maintaining connections to their heritage while adapting to new environments.
Meaningful participation of children and young people in service design, delivery, and evaluation ensures that interventions are relevant, appropriate, and effective. It also promotes their agency, builds their confidence, and contributes to their overall development and wellbeing.
Key themes from children's experiences
Journey and Arrival:
- The complexity of emotions during migration - excitement, fear, hope, and uncertainty
- The importance of information and preparation before and during travel
- The impact of first impressions and initial reception experiences
- The significance of feeling welcomed and valued upon arrival
Daily Life and Integration:
- Challenges of learning new languages while maintaining mother tongues
- Navigating different cultural norms and expectations
- Building friendships across cultural and linguistic differences
- Balancing maintaining cultural identity with fitting into new environments
Services and Support:
- The importance of having trusted adults who listen and advocate
- Preferences for peer support and mentoring from others with similar experiences
- The value of culturally sensitive and responsive services
- The need for consistent, reliable support relationships
Future Aspirations:
- Educational and career goals and the barriers to achieving them
- The desire to contribute to and give back to their communities
- The importance of legal status and documentation for future planning
- The role of family reunification in their hopes for the future
Creating space for children's voices
Meaningful participation requires:
- Safe and supportive environments where children feel comfortable sharing their experiences
- Accessible communication using appropriate languages and communication methods
- Cultural sensitivity that respects different ways of expressing views and participating
- Age-appropriate approaches that recognise different developmental needs and capacities
- Ongoing engagement rather than one-off consultation exercises
- Feedback and response showing how children's input has influenced decisions and changes
Key actions and considerations for service providers:
- Create regular opportunities for children to share their experiences and provide feedback on services
- Develop child-friendly complaint and suggestion mechanisms
- Include children and young people in service planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Provide training and support for children to participate effectively in formal processes
- Ensure children's participation is voluntary, informed, and appropriately supported
- Create peer support and advocacy opportunities where children can support each other
- Document and share children's recommendations for improving services and policies
- Advocate for policy changes based on children's experiences and recommendations