Involving children and young people in decisions about their care

Children and young people under the age of 18 years make up around 21% of the population of the UK¹. However, the National Children and Young Person (CYP) inpatient survey, undertaken by the Care Quality Commission in 2020, found that only 47% of children and young felt they were involved in decisions directly linked to their care².

As well as contributing to their own healthcare, the participation of children and young people can also provide us with valuable perspectives that allow us to “harness the wisdom, authenticity and currency of [their] lived experiences”³, showing us insights that can initiate discussion and debate⁴.

One such insight came from a youth-led, co-produced event that was held in Tower Hamlets, one of the most deprived boroughs in northeast London⁵. In July 2022, 80 young people and 25 healthcare...