Recognition and reward for participation activities: good practice guide

The guide, developed by the Children and Families Participation Network, helps you decide how to best recognise contributions from children, young people, parents and carers involved in your participation activity.

It provides a flexible approach tailored to individual needs and circumstances, ensuring consistency across participation activities.

Read the guide for further information.

What is meant by 'Reward and Recognition'?

Reward

Given to recognise service, effort or achievement. For example, vouchers, payment or celebration activity.

Recognition

Shows appreciation for participation. For example, thank you letters or formal accreditation.

Incentive

Motivates or encourages participation. For example, entry to prize draw or work experience.

Overcoming barriers

Barriers may include disability, stigma and social, digital or financial exclusion.

Costs might include travel, parking specialist support (interpreters), childcare, care workers, refreshments, or data resources (broadband and printing).

You will need to plan to cover costs to enable inclusive participation.

Principles

Your approach to reward and recognition should be based on the following principles.

Inclusive and safe

Consider individual circumstances to determine the most appropriate reward or recognition.
Offer a range of options and additional support to those who need it.

Transparent

At the planning stage:

discuss and clarify available rewards and what the payment covers
flag potential impacts on benefits or tax and signpost them to specialist advice.

Informative

Clearly communicate activity details and reward options.
Allow participants to accept, refuse or request alternatives.

Accountable

Plan to provide feedback on the impact of the activity to participants.

Respectful

Treat rewards, recognition and incentives as a 'thank you' gift and provide them promptly.

Affordable

Ensure the activity budget covers all costs, including travel and refreshments.

What participation activities can be rewarded and recognised?

Use the following criteria to decide whether to offer reward and recognition to those taking part.

The activity occurs outside of regular meetings with the individual or group.
The activity requires extra support or training for participants to meaningfully engage.
The activity requires specific skills or experience, such as a persons sharing their lived experience.
The activity is requested by an external organisation.
Attending training for specialist activities.

Examples of activities:

supporting on an interview panel
co-producing materials like training packages, tender specifications or films
delivering training, speaking at or running workshops at events
conducting service evaluations/inspections
representing groups at strategic board meetings
completing targeted surveys or questionnaires.

What rewards and recognition can be offered?

Vouchers and gift cards for various retailers with a recommended value of £5 to £50.
Thank you letters from senior decision-makers.
Communicating the impact of participation.
Recognising achievements at celebration events.
Small gifts for younger children or those who prefer non-monetary rewards.
Formal recognition through certificates or records of achievement.
Long-term recognition of skill development through training, experience and accreditation.
Work placements and experience.

Remember to tailor rewards to the age and circumstances of participants.