New research explores the impact of children and young people’s advisory groups

Last year we were delighted when master’s student, Katie Gilmartin, chose to carry out her placement-based dissertation with Children in Scotland. Studying an MSC in Social Research at The University of Edinburgh, Katie’s dissertation explored how children and young people’s advisory groups impact the work of national organisations.

After conducting interviews, focus groups and running surveys, Katie’s final paper shared the findings and knowledge gathered with the aim of supporting third sector organisations looking to establish meaningful participation.

Here, we speak to Katie about what inspired her research and how she hopes it will help organisations working with children and young people.

Children in Scotland: What inspired your research and why did you choose to conduct it with Children in Scotland?

Katie Gilmartin: My interest in research and youth participation comes from my own experience as a teenager involved in peer research, where I contributed to several projects researching other young people. This made me appreciate the importance of listening to children and young people and ensuring they have a say in decisions that affect them. I wanted to contribute to this by exploring how organisations can better support young people’s participation.

I chose to work with Children in Scotland because their values closely align with mine. Their focus on collaboration particularly stood out to me, but I also appreciate their commitment to being brave, kind, open, and fair. Their work emphasises meaningful engagement with children and young people, which was central to my research.

CiS: How do you hope your research will be used by those working with children and young people?

KG: I hope my research will provide useful guidance for organisations looking to improve how they engage with children and young people within advisory groups. By identifying key areas for improvement, the findings can help organisations create more effective and meaningful participation opportunities.

The research highlights practical steps that organisations can take, including:

• Strengthening communication between advisory groups and the organisation to ensure young people feel informed and involved.
• Creating a more flexible and adaptable environment that allows young people to engage in ways that suit them.
• Recognising that participation should be an ongoing process rather than a one-off event, ensuring young people have a consistent and valued role.

By applying these recommendations, organisations can improve the way they involve children and young people in decision-making, making their work more inclusive and responsive to their needs.

CiS: Can you tell us about your experience working with Children in Scotland?

KG: My time with Children in Scotland was really positive. From the start, the team was welcoming, and the environment was supportive. This was my first experience working in an office setting, and it gave me a great insight into a positive professional workplace.

A highlight of my time with the organisation was attending Children in Scotland’s 2024 Annual Conference at Murrayfield Stadium. It was a great opportunity to meet professionals from different sectors and hear about the work being done to improve outcomes for children and young people. It was valuable to see how research, policy, and practice come together in this space.

CiS: Now that your dissertation is complete, what’s next for you?

KG: After finishing my dissertation, I moved from Edinburgh to Manchester for a job as a researcher at AQA, an awarding body for GCSEs and A-Levels in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. My work involves engaging with schools, teachers, and students, applying my research skills in an educational context.

While my research with Children in Scotland focused on youth participation, my current role is giving me a broader perspective on how research informs education policy and assessment.

This experience is helping me develop new skills, and I’m excited to see how I can apply them in the future.