Reclaiming Agency: A Social Pedagogical Orientation to Child-Centred Practice

Abstract

Evidence (Barry, 2001; Lansdown, 2010) suggests that children often do not have the opportunity to claim their participation rights and instead the focus of professionals can sometimes be solely on the child's rights to protection or assumed needs. This imbalance results in their voices, views, opinions and input potentially being missed and unheard when concerning decision-making processes that impact on them in their day-to-day lives. This chapter will explore social pedagogical theory and social pedagogical practice, as well as values, children and young people's participation, cultivating empowerment, developing positive and authentic relationships, creating opportunities for holistic learning and working alongside children and young people in a child-centred way to bring about a positive change in their lives and increase their happiness and well-being.