What Matters to Me – Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know that these are the actual views and opinions of the young people?
The What Matters to Me project used a mixed method approach to ensure the engagement was meaningful, and learning was accurately reported. The project identifies 6 principles of meaningful engagement. The film, featuring the young people involved in the project explores these principles. The written resource looks in more detail at why these principles are important and why all six need to be in place. This includes the inclusion of various perspectives; from the individuals themselves, their families, and their support networks, to help to create a more complete and accurate picture of their experiences, preferences and view. More information is available on the webpage.
Why is the focus of the project people with severe or profound learning disabilities? People with moderate / mild learning disabilities also often not given the opportunity to share their opinions and views and this is important to highlight too.
This project emphases that every person, every child, every young person is entitled to be able to give their views and their opinions, to be able to tell us what they like, what they dislike, what they want, what they need and this includes people with severe / profound learning disabilities who may need slightly different methods to obtain these views and opinions to how people are used to using
How have you gained permission from the young people to be involved in the project?
A robust best interest process has been followed details of this are available on the website.
What does it mean to have severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities?
Someone with a severe learning disability will likely use little to no speech and will need lifelong support with daily activities like dressing, washing, eating and keeping safe. A severe learning disability will be identified at birth or during someone’s early childhood. Someone with profound or multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) will have more than one disability and will have difficulty communicating verbally. Many people with PMLD may have additional sensory, physical or health needs or mental health difficulties (Mencap and PMLD Network).
How have you ensured the activities are age-appropriate?
Robust consultation with support circles to plan and carry out activities that are meaningful for the person meaning the activities are person-centred and individualised regardless of age-appropriateness.
How have you ensured the project is representative and includes people from different backgrounds?
A comprehensive recruitment process was agreed by the project advisory group which included considering how to ensure the project was inclusive for people from different backgrounds. We recognise that project could be developed by further work to explore reaching young people from a range of diverse backgrounds.