A modern public service places the service user at the heart of decision-making, service planning and provision. Thus, it is the remit of Tusla – Child and Family Agency to engage with children, families and communities on the design and quality of services provided to them. To this end, the Agency is committed to developing a Participation Strategy for Children and Young People and the present document provides the background towards informing such a strategy. The aim is to ensure that every time a decision is taken that directly affects a child or young person (or children and young people collectively), their views are taken into consideration in the decision-making process.