Summary

• Author: Van Hove, G.; Gradinaru, C.; Morabito, C.; De Schauwer E.; Mattelin, E.
• Pages: 7-7

Feasibility Study for a Child Guarantee (FSCG) Children’s Voices

7

Summary

The Voice of Children’s study has been organised within the Feasibility Study for a Child

Guarantee (FSCG) in the form of focus groups with 35 European children, aged between 9

and 17, in four countries: Belgium for children with disabilities; Italy for children li ving in

precarious family situations; Romania for children residing in an institution; and Sweden

for children with a migrant background (including refugee child ren).

The primary objective of the consultation with chil dren was to conduct a ‘reality check’ on

the analysis carried out within the framework of the Feasibility Study for a Child Guarantee

initiative, to confirm the findings, identifying any gaps or emerging issues not easily

identifiable through research methods used by the FSCG experts. It also aimed at advising

how child participation can integrate the development and delivery of a future Child

Guarantee initiative.

Children generally confirmed the findings of the experts’ analysis, whil e also enriching the

discussion with original themes and proposals. In particular, chil dren across the focus

groups hi ghlighted the importance of promoting the universality of services as the best

way to ensure children’s access to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), education,

nutrition, health and housing. Universality mu st be accompani ed by additional resources

for chil dren in need (e.g. economicall y disadvantaged or with disabilities). Children also

outlined that access might not suffice to ensure their wellbeing and avoid social and cultural

rejection: quality must also be present. For children, quality means inclusion, or the

capacity of services to understand individual difficulties in terms of learning trajectories,

health or socio-emotional development and respond positi vely to specific needs.