Engagement and Involvement
Engagement and involvement lies at the heart of the Adolescent Health Study’s success.
Collaborating meaningfully with children, young people, and the adults that surround them will add value to the integrity of the study, build trust in our approach, and ensure the study is more relevant and long-lasting.
Our principles for engagement and involvement
Our approach is built upon the values of our organisation and extended to include the rights of children, young people and families. It is based on our acknowledgement that we cannot do this alone, and that everything about the study will be better if done through partnerships with the people at the heart of the project.
Be fair and inclusive
Ensure engagement and involvement activities are relevant to young people.
Consider young people’s interests, environment, and their confidence and ability to take part.
Address barriers to engagement, providing support to young people where needed.
Recognise that young people represent a diverse group and tailor engagement activities accordingly.
Consider how to build their capacity and understanding to ensure that young people have confidence to take part in activities meaningfully.
Reward and recognise
Provide appropriate incentives to young people and recognise and reward their contributions.
Clearly communicate the benefits of taking part and allow them to feedback on their experience.
Tell young people how their input influenced the study.
Value and invest
Plan engagement and involvement from the beginning and across the full breadth of the study.
Value the unique insight and contributions young people can bring.
Invest in building relationships and trust.
Follow best practice
Establish safe, supportive and inclusive spaces for young people to express their views and ideas.
Respect young people’s rights, privacy and confidentiality.
Ensure staff have support and training to deliver quality activities.
Make it meaningful
Consider how much influence young people would have and whether involvement is meaningful.
Involve young people in decision-making processes while clearly communicating any limitations in their level of influence.
Learn and collaborate
Reflect on our work and share learning with young people and those working in youth engagement.
Contribute to society’s wider understanding of what matters to young people.
Seek advice and guidance, and collaborate with organisations who work directly with young people to continuously improve our approach, build connections and expand our reach.
Embed and enable
Embed engagement and involvement across the organisation.
Ensure activities influence the organisation and staff are enabled to involve young people in their work.
Measure impact
Record our engagement and involvement work and report on progress, results and impact.
Seek feedback from young people and organisations who have worked with us.
Evaluate our activities and act on feedback and learning.
Further information
In May 2026, we published a document that set out our principles and approach to engagement and involvement, following the work we carried out with young people and experts in the youth involvement sector:
Read: ‘Our approach to engagement and involvement in the Adolescent Health Study’
We look forward to sharing more information as our plans develop.
