Set relevant questions
Discuss which issues feel important, what outcomes matter and how a research question connects to everyday life.
Current work
Involving children and young people
Children and young people bring knowledge of their own lives, priorities and communication needs. Their involvement can help research become more relevant, accessible and focused.
Why this matters
Make room for perspectives that adults may miss
Involvement can help research teams identify questions that matter to children and young people, test whether plans make sense and communicate in ways that are engaging and clear.
Meaningful involvement is more than asking for a response to a finished idea. It gives children and young people an appropriate opportunity to influence priorities, materials and decisions, with support that recognises different ages, experiences and circumstances.
What involvement can improve
Practical contributions at every stage
Young people can contribute in different ways depending on the research question, the stage of the project and the support available.
Improve information
Review questionnaires, invitations, leaflets and summaries for clarity, tone, length and usefulness.
Keep the focus grounded
Bring attention back to the experiences, priorities and practical realities that research aims to understand.
What good support includes
Design involvement with care
01 / Prepare
Clear, age-appropriate information
Use straightforward language and provide material in formats that children and young people can navigate.
Explore plain-English guidance02 / Include
Accessible ways to contribute
Offer suitable activities, time to think and more than one way to share ideas where possible.
Consider inclusion in involvement03 / Support
Realistic expectations
Be clear about roles, boundaries and the support available before, during and after involvement.
Develop training and support04 / Respond
Visible feedback
Explain what changed after discussions, what could not change and the reasons for each decision.
Read planning guidanceA useful approach
From invitation to shared learning
A thoughtful process helps contributors understand their influence and helps teams use what they learn.
Start early
Invite input while priorities, questions and methods can still be influenced.
Agree the role
Describe the purpose, activities, timescale and what the team will do with contributions.
Work in accessible ways
Use formats and language that support informed, comfortable participation.
Share the learning
Close the loop with an honest account of decisions, changes and next steps.
Related material
Continue your learning
Use these links to find practical material, research references and focused guidance.
Resources for involvement
Find organisations and practical resources for involving children and young people in research.
Find out more →References and evidence
Browse references relating to involving children and young people in research.
Find out more →Articles and learning
Read articles about involving and engaging children and young people in research.
Find out more →Common questions
Involving children and young people FAQ
When should children and young people be involved?
Involvement is most useful when it begins early enough to influence the research question, priorities or plan. It can also be valuable at later stages, such as reviewing information or sharing findings.
Is involvement the same as taking part in a study?
No. Taking part in a study means contributing data. Involvement means helping to shape decisions about research, its materials or how it is communicated.
How can information be made easier to use?
Keep language clear, explain essential terms and test material with the people it is intended for. Use feedback to improve the format, length and content.
What should a research team explain at the start?
Set out the purpose of involvement, what decisions are open to influence, what activities are expected and when contributors can expect feedback.
How can teams avoid tokenistic involvement?
Plan for genuine influence, allow sufficient time and resources, record contributions and explain clearly how views affected decisions.
Where can I find more detailed resources?
Visit the resources page or read the report on involving children and young people in research.
Need a starting point?
Email InvolvestoryFind the right guidance for your work
Send a concise description of the question you are working on and the stage your project has reached. Involvestory will help you identify relevant material on this site.