Inclusion of young carers and children as next of kin in participation mechanisms across Europe: a rapid realist review of participation mechanisms in scientific and grey literature on the European union level and in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden
7 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva Pl. 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- 2Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
- 3Anziani E Non Solo Società Cooperativa Sociale, Via Lenin 55, 41012 Carpi, MO Italy
- 4ZoJong!, Kon. Maria Hendrikaplein 5/105, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- 5Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- 6Social Network, “Vesta”, Bul. “St. Stambolov” #60, Burgas, 8000 Bulgaria
- 7EUROCARERS, Avenue de Broqueville, 12, 1150 Brussels, Belgium
Abstract
Background: The study aims to review evidence of the participation of young carers and children as next of kin in mechanisms designed to ensure youth participation in Europe.
Method: A rapid realist review was conducted as part of the OUR VOICES project.
Results: The scientific component of the review identified systemic and structural barriers, as well as individual-level barriers, that prevent children from meaningfully participating in matters affecting their lives. The grey literature review indicated that, although frameworks for child participation exist across countries, their implementation is inconsistent. Vulnerable children are neither adequately recognised nor consistently supported, and their participation often depends on local resources and political commitment.
Conclusions: Young carers and children as next of kin remain largely invisible as a subgroup of vulnerable children. The success of participatory mechanisms is supported by trusted, empathetic and knowledgeable adults, as well as by ensuring sufficient diversity in the modes and methods of participation to make them accessible and appealing to young people.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5.
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BibTeX
@article{hlebec2026inclusion,
title = {{Inclusion of young carers and children as next of kin in participation mechanisms across Europe: a rapid realist review of participation mechanisms in scientific and grey literature on the European union level and in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden}},
author = {Valentina Hlebec and Miriam Hurtado Monarres and Emilia Olving and Tjaša Potočnik and Licia Boccaletti and Stefania Giannino and Annalisa Pezzini and Leda Decleyre and Lena Van Bergen and Julie Everix and Denitsa Ivanova and Svetlana Atanasova and Elizabeth Hanson},
journal = {BMC Pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Inclusion of young carers and children as next of kin in participation mechanisms across Europe: a rapid realist review of participation mechanisms in scientific and grey literature on the European union level and in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden
AU - Valentina Hlebec
AU - Miriam Hurtado Monarres
AU - Emilia Olving
AU - Tjaša Potočnik
AU - Licia Boccaletti
AU - Stefania Giannino
AU - Annalisa Pezzini
AU - Leda Decleyre
AU - Lena Van Bergen
AU - Julie Everix
AU - Denitsa Ivanova
AU - Svetlana Atanasova
AU - Elizabeth Hanson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/07
JO - BMC Pediatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5
AB - Background: The study aims to review evidence of the participation of young carers and children as next of kin in mechanisms designed to ensure youth participation in Europe. Method: A rapid realist review was conducted as part of the OUR VOICES project. Results: The scientific component of the review identified systemic and structural barriers, as well as individual-level barriers, that prevent children from meaningfully participating in matters affecting their lives. The grey literature review indicated that, although frameworks for child participation exist across countries, their implementation is inconsistent. Vulnerable children are neither adequately recognised nor consistently supported, and their participation often depends on local resources and political commitment. Conclusions: Young carers and children as next of kin remain largely invisible as a subgroup of vulnerable children. The success of participatory mechanisms is supported by trusted, empathetic and knowledgeable adults, as well as by ensuring sufficient diversity in the modes and methods of participation to make them accessible and appealing to young people. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07463-5.
SN - 1471-2431
ER -