What children’s eyes see: youth participation as the key to greater safety

The “You are the Expert” project, Vuesch gGmbH/Zirkus Zack, Berlin/Oderberg

Zirkus Zack regards child safeguarding as an important issue. At the annual circus camp, young participants were actively involved in the safety and planning processes for the first time.

The circus holiday weeks take place once a year in Oderberg, Brandenburg near the Polish border. “The contrast between town and country always strikes me,” says Jahn Heidel from Zirkus Zack, who runs the circus weeks, “Everything is green, there are fields everywhere, and there isn’t even a proper road leading to the house, just a cobbled path. And suddenly you find yourself right in the middle of the grounds and, if you’re lucky, the circus tent will already be up. It’s simply magical.” The peace and quiet of the countryside are the perfect setting for the circus holiday weeks. There are few distractions in the countryside, and so the children and young people can improve their dexterity and agility by practising juggling, diabolo, acrobatics, clowning or balance Exercice on the tightrope. Together with professional artists, educators and volunteer support staff they can develop their own concentration levels.

The stage is set for the concerns of children and young people

Jahn Heidel, the senior cultural educator who has been involved with the project for a year, has now taken a fresh look at this idyllic setting. Together with children and young people aged between 9 and 21 and an external specialist from the child protection association, he analysed the conditions at the site and carried out a participatory risk assessment. Who is on duty and when? Where are people hanging out? Who is keeping an eye on the swimming pool? Is the path to the showers perhaps a little too dark? 

We wanted to involve the children and young people not just as participants but as experts who could give us important insights.

Jahn Heidel, Zirkus Zack

In the run up to the holiday weeks, Jahn Heidel followed up on the idea of reviewing the existing safeguarding policy for children and young people and taking a close look at the existing code of conduct for support staff. As circus work is highly physical and involves working with your body, the staff at Zirkus Zack receive regular training in child safeguarding. “The idea of a participatory risk analysis came about during an information event in Berlin,” Jahn Heidel recalls, “We wanted to involve the children and young people not just as participants but as experts who could give us important insights.” A group of 16 children and young people, who had previously taken part in the circus camp or were due to do so in future, travelled to Oderberg to join the consultation process.

Engaging with the children’s agenda

“We’re going to decide everything from now on – your job is done,” one child joked during the risk assessment. After the two-hour coach journey from Berlin to Oderberg, the atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful. The children and young people agreed that “the good things should stay exactly as they are.“ In fact, they not only chose the topics but also set the pace. Jahn Heidel thinks that adults often try to find extreme examples in order to make themselves heard. This may include identifying fears that children may not even have, but which adults believe should be prevented, for example, “This place is a bit dark, let’s do something about it.” Letting go of this adult-centred perspective and recognising that certain issues are less relevant to children and young people proved to be extremely valuable and became the key to successful communication. Jahn Heidel also felt that it was seemingly minor issues that ended up sparking a discussion.

While consciously engaging with the children’s agenda was not always easy, it steered conversations in an entirely different direction than might have been expected. As a result, the children discussed how to deal with homesickness just as deeply as which sweets they were allowed to bring. In smaller groups, participants also had the opportunity to address age-specific issues, such as access to hygiene products in the toilets.

If you take participation seriously, then there have to be tangible results. The children need to feel that they are taken seriously and that their concerns aren’t simply brushed aside with a smile.

Jahn Heidel, Zirkus Zack

“If you take participation seriously, then there have to be tangible results. The children need to feel that they are taken seriously and that their concerns aren’t simply brushed aside with a smile”, says Jahn Heidel with reference to the atmosphere. In a converted former shooting club in Oderberg, participants share rooms in groups of eight with the clear potential for conflict that this entails. “We actually spent almost two hours discussing how we could make the room allocation even fairer,” something that was put into practice straight away during this year’s holiday weeks. They also made structural changes to the premises: wooden walkways were installed on the paths to the communal showers, and shower curtains that were too short were replaced with longer ones.

The open and receptive attitude of those involved was the most valuable aspect of the experience. “It was very lively. I really enjoyed that,” says Jahn Heidel. This method was not just about analysing risks but also about designing a shared environment in which all the participants would feel comfortable. “It was fun. I can only see advantages in this method,” Jahn Heidel believes that it would also be an excellent participation tool for other projects. “I sometimes dream about the circus camp and those are my favourite dreams,” says one child. His support during the participatory risk analysis is certainly going to make the circus holiday weeks a highlight for everyone.

Text: Katharina Hennecken; Translation (english): Alex Emerson