Children and young people should feel safe, valued, and empowered to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. When capturing their voice, it is essential to create a comfortable and supportive space that encourages open and honest discussions.

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Encouraging Conversations

Start by asking about:

School and Home Life – How do they feel about their learning and daily routines?

Their Achievements – What are they proud of? How do they feel they are doing?

Behaviour and Feelings – What makes them happy, anxious, or frustrated?

Friendships and Social Life – Who do they enjoy spending time with?

Learning and Support Needs – What helps them learn best? What extra support might they need?

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Using Effective Questions

✔ Open-ended questions encourage conversation:

“Tell me about your favourite part of school…”

“How do you feel when…?”

“What helps you when something is difficult?”

✔ Closed questions can help when needed but should be followed up:

“Do you prefer working alone or with a friend?”

“Do you find it easier to learn when things are written down?”

✔ Sentence starters can be useful to get the discussion going.
✔ The Three Houses approach (likes, worries, dreams) can support structured conversations.

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Creating a Supportive Environment

Allow Thinking Time – Give children and young people space to process and respond.
Use Questionnaires – These can help young people who like structure and predictability.
Adapt to Their Needs – Consider developmental age, SEN needs, hearing impairments, or mental health challenges.
Be Culturally Aware – Respect and acknowledge their cultural identity and values.
Use Creative Approaches – Some children may prefer drawing, using objects, or a play-based approach to express their thoughts.

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Reflecting & Acknowledging Their Views

Use Exploratory Language – “I wonder what it’s like when…”
Repeat & Reflect – Mirroring their words encourages them to share more.
Provide Clear Acknowledgement – Let them know their views are heard and valued.

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Final Thought

Quality discussions are more important than asking every question. If a child or young person becomes tired or disengaged, pause and revisit the conversation later. The goal is to ensure they feel listened to, understood, and supported.