Youth Participation

      Ladder of Youth Involvement

      ladder of youth

       

      • Step 9: Youth-initiated & Directed
      • Step 8: Youth-initiated, shared decisions with adults
      • Step 7: Youth & adult-initiated & directed
      • Step 6: Adult-initiated, share decisions with youth
      • Step 5: Consulted & informed
      • Step 4: Assigned & informed
      • Step 3: Tokenism
      • Step 2: Decoration
      • Step 1: Manipulated

       

       

      Adapted from Hart's Ladder from "Youth Participation in Planning" 1996

       

      1. Manipulated- Youth involvement used by adults to communicate adult messages

      2. Decoration- adults use youth to promote or support a cause without informing youth. Youth are not involved in design or decisions.

      3. Tokenism- Symbolic representation by few. May not have genuine voice, May be asked to speak for the group they represent.

      4. Assigned and Informed- Youth do not initiate, but understand and have some sense of ownership

      5. Consulted and Informed- designed and run by adults who consult with youth. Youth make recommendations that are considered by adults

      6. Adult Initiated, share decisions with youth-Designed and run by adults who share decisions with youth

      7. Youth and Adult Initiated and Directed--Designed and run by youth and adults in full partnership

      8. Youth Initiated, Share decisions with adults- Designed and run by youth who share decisions with adults

      9. Youth Initiated and Directed- Designed and Run by youth and decisions made by youth