Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child who is capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child. It states that the views of the child must be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child, and it ensures that the child be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

The Lundy Model of Child Participation, developed by Professor Laura Lundy, provides a practical framework to ensure that children’s views are meaningfully heard and considered in decision-making processes that affect them. It is widely used in child rights practice, particularly in alignment with Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The model outlines four interdependent, critical elements:

1. Space
   Children must be provided with a safe and inclusive opportunity to express their views. This includes creating environments (physical or virtual) that are welcoming, accessible, and supportive of diverse voices, including those of marginalised children.
   

2. Voice
   Children must be facilitated and supported to express their views freely. This may involve using age-appropriate methods, communication supports, and ensuring that children understand the topics they are being consulted on.
   

3. Audience
   Children’s views must be actively listened to by those in positions of decision-making. This means ensuring that there is a clearly identified audience (e.g., judges, caseworkers, or educators) that is responsible for receiving and considering the child’s input.
   

4. Influence
   Children’s views must be taken seriously and acted upon where appropriate. There should be transparent processes showing how their input has influenced decisions, including feedback loops to explain outcomes to the child.

These four elements ensure not just that children are heard, but that their participation is ethical, meaningful, and capable of impacting outcomes in decisions affecting their lives