The Children’s Participation Unit provides a structure by which NPC seeks to both include the child’s voice in the work of NPC and strengthen the voice of the child within the early years, primary and post primary education sector.

How does NPC engage with children?

Surveys

NPC consults with children via surveys sent to their parents, asking for their insights into various issues that affect them. Since 2012 we have surveyed children on a wide variety of issues:

• Their awareness of their parents’ interest in their school lives and their knowledge of Parents’ Associations and NPC
• Their experiences of their lunch times in school
• What it is like to be a child in Ireland
• Homework
• NPC’s strategic future 
• Computer technology (a joint survey with Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

The most recent survey where we looked for children's views is on what secondary school experience they would like, this is part of the Senior Cycle Review being undertaken by the NCCA. 

Also through Regional Assembly events we asked children in 5th and 6th class to join their parents to give us their views on this issue in person, these events took place on the 5th & 12th of October and the 16th, 23rd and 30th of November 2019, in the different NPC Regions. The NCCA gave a presentation on the Senior Cycle Review at each Regional Assembly event, looking at the purpose and vision for the Senior Cycle, the different curricular components, assessment etc. The NPC CEO presented the most up to date NPC Senior Cycle Survey results, both children's and parents. Then followed a consultation event with the children working sharing their views separately to their parents.

Workshops

Through workshop sessions NPC gains the views of children, by giving children the chance to explore issues of importance to them, in groups of children of their own ages. Where they can feel safe and secure, in non-judgemental settings. Workshops have taken place on:

• The Senior Cycle in school (a joint workshop with the Burren College of Art)
• Coding (a joint workshop with TCD)

Partnership Schools Ireland (PSI) Programme

Partnership Schools Ireland is a joint initiative by National Parents Council (NPC) and Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN). Better outcomes for children is the main objective of a “Partnership School”. When a school joins our PSI initiative, a team from the school, including children, works together in partnership on agreed activities. The PSI model gives children a real voice in choosing and achieving their school goals. Please contact our Partnership Schools Ireland coordinator to find out more - email: psi@npc.ie or Tel: 01 887 4478

How to engage in the NPC Children’s Participation Unit

To find out more about our Children’s Participation Unit or to see if NPC could assist you/your organisation in consulting with children please contact Michelle email: mdavern@npc.ie or Tel: 01 887 4488