This information pack provides you with Everything you need to organise a successful Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge. Once you‘ve decided to take part, let us know your plans so we can tell the rest of the country!
Led by the
Takeover Challenge Information Pack
What is the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge?The Takeover Challenge is a fun, hugely successful and exciting children and young people’s national engagement project, led by the Children’s Commissioner for England. The programme see’s organisations across England opening their doors to children and young people to take over adult roles. It puts children and young people into decision-making positions and encourages organisations and businesses to hear their views.Children gain an insight into the adult world and organisations benefit from a fresh perspective on their work. The Takeover Challenge has grown year on year – last year over 45,000 children and thousands of organisations took part. Children and young people stepped into the shoes of hundreds of high profile figures including: MP’s; mayors; TV presenters; teachers; chief executives; senior police officers and other professionals in all walks of life.
LAST YEAR
OVER 45,000
CHILDREN
TOOK PART
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When should you run your Takeover?
Partners across the country will be kicking off activities on Friday 18 November and our media partner, the BBC, is being taken over the following Friday 25 November, so we’re encouraging organisations to spread their challenges throughout the week and beyond.If you can’t take the Takeover Challenge during that week, we still encourage you to do so and of course, tell us and the world about it, at any time. In fact, we’d really like to see you use the Challenge as a springboard to embed children’s views into your everyday decision-making.
Organisations can take part in the Takeover Challenge at any time – last year more organisations than ever before took their challenges at different times of the year, some of them spreading them over weeks and even months.
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Who can take part?
Individuals and organisations of all types can take part. Public, private sector and voluntary organisations, businesses big and small and thousands of schools and museums have all taken part in the past. Those that do, tell us how much they enjoyed doing so, how much they learned from the children and that it was easy organising their activities because of the advice and information we provided.
Do you want to have
a say on decisions
that affect you?
Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge is a national
event that gives children and young people the chance to get
involved in decision making and work alongside adults.
Identify where you want to take over and write them a letter or email
(there are ones you can copy on the website).
Register at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
to get updates and advice for your Takeover Challenge.
Plan what you’re going to do.
Take over!
Stay safe:
Whatever you do for the day, make sure that a
parent, carer, teacher or youth worker helps you
to organise it and knows what you’re doing!@CCOTakeover #takeoverchallenge
Friday, 20 November 2015
Organisations previously taken over
Do you want to have a say on decisions that affect you?Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge is a national
event that gives children and young people the chance to get
involved in decision making and work alongside adults.Identify where you want to take over and write them a letter or email
(there are ones you can copy on the website).Register at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
to get updates and advice for your Takeover Challenge.Plan what you’re going to do.
Take over!
Stay safe:Whatever you do for the day, make sure that a parent, carer, teacher or youth worker helps you
to organise it and knows what you’re doing!@CCOTakeover #takeoverchallenge
Friday, 20 November 2015Organisations previously taken over
Do you want to have
a say on decisions
that affect you?
Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge is a national
event that gives children and young people the chance to get
involved in decision making and work alongside adults.
Identify where you want to take over and write them a letter or email
(there are ones you can copy on the website).
Register at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
to get updates and advice for your Takeover Challenge.
Plan what you’re going to do.
Take over!
Stay safe:
Whatever you do for the day, make sure that a
parent, carer, teacher or youth worker helps you
to organise it and knows what you’re doing! @CCOTakeover #takeoverchallenge
Friday, 20 November 2015
Organisations previously taken over
Do you want to have
a say on decisions
that affect you?
Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge is a national
event that gives children and young people the chance to get
involved in decision making and work alongside adults.
Identify where you want to take over and write them a letter or email
(there are ones you can copy on the website).
Register at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
to get updates and advice for your Takeover Challenge.
Plan what you’re going to do.
Take over!
Stay safe:
Whatever you do for the day, make sure that a
parent, carer, teacher or youth worker helps you
to organise it and knows what you’re doing!@CCOTakeover #takeoverchallenge
Friday, 20 November 2015
Organisations previously taken over
Do you want to have a say on decisions that affect you?Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge is a national event that gives children and young people the chance to get involved in decision making and work alongside adults.Identify where you want to take over and write them a letter or email
(there are ones you can copy on the website).Register at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
to get updates and advice for your Takeover Challenge.Plan what you’re going to do. Take over!
Stay safe:Whatever you do for the day, make sure that a parent, carer, teacher or youth worker helps you to organise it and knows what you’re doing!
@CCOTakeover #takeoverchallenge
Friday, 20 November 2015Organisations previously taken over
Who’s been taken over?
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Why take part What’s in it for me?
I’m a young person, what do I get out of the Takeover Challenge?
>> It’s fun and you can be involved in making decisions about things that affect you.
>> Have your voice heard.
>> Experience the world of work.
>> Develop new interests and skills.
>> Share your ideas!
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Why take part What’s in it for me?
I’m an adult, what do I get out of the Takeover Challenge?
>> Gain a fresh perspective on and insight into your work and organisation.
>> Share a challenge your organisation is facing and ask young people to come up with a solution.
>> Inspire children and young people to achieve.
>> Develop a relationship with your local community.
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“I was amazed. It is not every day you get to produce the Scott Mills show. I went down to the BBC Broadcasting House and was welcomed with opened arms.The whole experience from start to finish was amazing. It was a wonderful opportunity for me and gave me a great insight what a producer role entails.” Muhammad Amin Hajat, 16, spent the day working with the Scott Mills’ show team.
“I’ve learnt more today than I have
in two weeks at school. Something like
this really prepares you for what it’s
like in the workplace. I liked that I got to
give my opinion in meetings and really
join in with the discussions.”
Grace, spent the day as Managing Director
of the NPS Group, a property design and
management company
“Seeing things from a different perspective by getting a young person’s view on what we do and how we can do it better is a real benefit to us. We get a chance to really listen to what young people say and hear what they think. They also get a chance to shape how we work with young people in general. The day is always great fun and often a real eye opener for us and our new, young colleagues.”Bill Skelly, Deputy Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police
Views from past Takeovers
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I’m an organisation How do I get started?
Engaging - Agree with colleagues who will lead activities, approach a local school, college or youth group to invite them to take part.
Develop your activities for the day - Whatever the size of your organisation, with a little planning, there are always opportunities to incorporate children’s ideas and creativity and bring a fresh perspective to your work. Get young people involved in planning the perfect Takeover!
Manage the practicalities of your day - Advance preparation with your colleagues and children and young people will help ensure that everyone gets the most out of the day.
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I’m a young person How do I get started?
Think of a job or organisation you’d like to Takeover! You could try asking your local council, police or fire service, bank, newspapers, radio stations, businesses – anything you would like to do!
Plan what you are going to do on the day. If there is something you really want to do, make sure you ask in advance so that your organisation can see if it’s possible and plan it into the day for you.
After your Takeover, follow up with some of the decisions you made. See if you can arrange follow up activities with your organisation - are there other challenges you would like to arrange with them?
Get together with your friends and teachers/supporting adult to plan your Takeover Challenge.
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For more information about these steps please read through our other resources found at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
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What have people done in previous Takeovers?Last year, children and young people did amazing things like…
>> Advising organisations from a young person’s perspective
>> Trying out top jobs
>> Being part of key decisions by giving suggestions for specific tasks or problems
>> Working on projects that had an impact on young people
>> Job shadowing people for the day and seeing what their work entailed
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Look who’s been taken over
Politicians and Government Many MP’s and government Ministers have taken part in the Takeover Challenge. Young people have shadowed Ministers and MP’s in their constituencies, attending important meetings and learning more about decision making in their communities.
Health Huge numbers of health organisations used Takeover as a way to speak with and give voice to young people across the country. This ranged from the Department of Health to NHS England, Public Health England down through NHS trusts, to many local hospitals and clinical commissioning groups.
Emergency Services Police and Crime Commissioners as well as forces all over England have been taken over. In one force, each child was allocated a different department including the roads policing unit, call management department and the tactical dogs and firearms unit.
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Look who’s been taken over
Heritage Museums and galleries all over England have taken part, led by charity Kids in Museums. These include: The V&A; Tate Liverpool; The National Children’s Museum; Birmingham Museums Trust and the Natural History Museum.
Business Hundreds of businesses have taken part. Children tell us that they want more opportunities to influence the commercial world so we are on the hunt for businesses all over England to be part of the Challenge.
To see more of the organisations and sectors who have taken part please visit www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/Takeover-challenge
If you would like to help young people follow their passions and have a unique experience or are looking to demonstrate your company’s commitment to children and young people, get in touch and we’ll tell you more about how to get involved.
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Important bits to remember!
Always ensure when organising your Takeover Challenge that you communicate with children and young people through a school, youth organisation or parent/carer and not directly with a child or young person. Follow the school, organisation or local authority’s child protection procedures and also refer to the guidelines provided in this pack.
If are a young person, share this information with your school, youth group or organisation so that the adults can support you to take part in the Takeover Challenge.
Read our digital toolkit to promote your Takeover.
Have you given/got permission? - Parents or carers of children under 16 and their school must give permission for children and young people to join external organisations or individuals for the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge.
Emergency contact details should be provided for every child attending. Appropriate transport to and from the building must be organised.
Ensure your organisation has carried out an appropriate risk assessment in advance of the day to identify and minimise any potential hazards. For more guidance on risk assessments visit: www.hse.gov.uk
The important bits to check when organising a Takeover.
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Safety & welfare
>> that you follow your organisation’s child protection and health and safety procedures at all times.
>> that if your organisation does not have child protection procedures, you do not have direct contact with children but work through an organisation which does, such as a school or youth group and work with their child protection procedures.
>> that at all times there is an adult present with the children taking part in the Takeover Challenge who has been DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked.
>> that any contact with children and young people taking part in the Takeover Challenge is focused on the event and that you do not exchange personal contact information through social networks or otherwise.
>> that you consider your behaviour, conduct and language, remembering to act as a positive role model to the children and young people taking part.
It is critical to ensure the safety and welfare of children who are taking part in your Takeover Challenge. You should do this by making sure:
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What to do if you have concerns about a child’s welfare or safety?Follow your child protection reporting procedures or those of the organisation you are working with.>> If a child tells you something which is worrying, do not agree to keep it
confidential and make sure you talk to an appropriate person about it in line with your organisation’s child protection procedures or that of the organisation you are working with.
>> Never trivialise child abuse or neglect as you do not know the experiences of the children you are meeting.
>> Should a child or young person seem worried about problems, you should remind them that they can call Childline free 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 for confidential support and advice or via their website at www.childline.org.uk You can discuss any concerns about a child and get advice by calling NSPCC’s child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
>> If a child needs urgent help or medical attention call emergency services on 999
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What does the Children’s Commissioner do?
Anne Longfield is Children’s Commissioner for England. She is tasked in law with acting in the best interests of children and young people and promoting and protecting their rights.
“Everyone benefits from taking part in the Takeover Challenge – children learn what it’s like to make decisions in the world of work and adults get a young people’s perspective on their work. It is a fun opportunity for children and young people to put their views across and make a difference, challenging the stereotypes about them that we hear too often. Organisations and adults taking part often tell us how surprised they are by the fresh ideas, imagination and energy children and young people bring and the impact this has on their work.”
Anne Longfield OBE, Children’s Commissioner for England
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It’s time to Takeover!
Now its over to you! For templates and guidance on how to run Takeover Challenge activities – download our resources at www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/takeover-challenge
These include:
>> Template letters
>> Takeover Challenge Plan
>> Logo
>> Certificates
Enjoy the challenge and let us know how it goes!!
GOLDCOMMENDATION
As part of our commitment to valuing
the views of young people, on
Has received a
Gold Commendation
As part of the
Children’s Commissioner’s
Takeover Challenge
Anne Longfield OBE
Children’s Commissioner for England
As part of our commitment to valuing the views of young people, on
Was taken over by
Anne Longfield OBEChildren’s Commissioner for England
As part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge
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