New
New
Year 9

How can we engage in local democracy?

I can explain what local democracy involves and how Youth Councils help local democracy.

New
New
Year 9

How can we engage in local democracy?

I can explain what local democracy involves and how Youth Councils help local democracy.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Local democracy refers to the participation of citizens in decision-making at a community level.
  2. Young people can engage through democratic processes such as consultations, campaigning and meetings with councillors.
  3. Youth Councils are formal bodies led by young people to represent youth perspectives in local governance.
  4. Participation in Youth Councils encourages civic responsibility, political literacy and leadership development.

Keywords

  • Local democracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives in their geographical area

  • Youth Council - a group set up, led and shaped by young people to represent the views and interests of other young people in a democratic way

Common misconception

Local democracy only happens during elections.

Local democracy is happening all the time. It occurs in council meetings, Youth Councils, local campaigns and anytime that people speak up about local issues. You do not need to wait for local elections to take part.


To help you plan your year 9 citizenship lesson on: How can we engage in local democracy?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Throughout the lesson, regularly ask pupils to relate the examples back to their own local area. For example, 'Do we have a Youth Council in our community or have you seen any local campaigns recently?' This helps make the content more real and relevant to your local community and your pupils.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each sentence to its concept.
Correct Answer:I organised a petition to improve lunch.,active citizen

active citizen

Correct Answer:I shared ideas with the School Council.,pupil voice

pupil voice

Correct Answer:The headteacher changed the timetable.,decision-maker

decision-maker

Q2.
The UNCRC says that pupils have the right to share their views and these are taken so schools can improve.
Correct Answer: seriously
Q3.
Which is the correct fourth step to influence a change in school?
Correct answer: plan the campaign
identify a need
carry out the action
cause and effect
Q4.
Being an active system is an important part of which political system?
anarchy
monarchy
Correct answer: democracy
dictatorship
Q5.
Who is most likely to be one of the main decision-makers in a school?
year 7 students
football coach
Correct answer: governor
caretaker
Q6.
Put these actions in the correct order for influencing a school decision-maker about improving lunchtime activities.
1 - identify that pupils are bored during lunch
2 - collect opinions from other pupils
3 - present ideas to the Student Council
4 - a decision-maker discusses the proposal
5 - a change is agreed and introduced by the school

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:local democracy,a system of government in which people vote in regular, fair elections

a system of government in which people vote in regular, fair elections

Correct Answer:Youth Council,a group set up to represent the views of other young people

a group set up to represent the views of other young people

Correct Answer:local council,a governing body responsible for providing public services locally

a governing body responsible for providing public services locally

Q2.
Which of the following is not a way that young people under the age of 16 can take part in local democracy?
joining a Youth Council
speaking at a local consultation
Correct answer: voting in a general election
meeting with a councillor
Q3.
Match the start of the sentence with its ending.
Correct Answer:Youth Councils represent young people,by making sure youth views are heard by decision-makers.

by making sure youth views are heard by decision-makers.

Correct Answer:Local councillors represent the public,by discussing issues that matter to people in their area.

by discussing issues that matter to people in their area.

Correct Answer:The UK Government represents everyone,by acting on behalf of the whole nation.

by acting on behalf of the whole nation.

Q4.
Put these stages of local democratic action in the right order.
1 - identify an issue or need in the community
2 - raise a concern at a local community meeting
3 - meet with the local councillor of your area
4 - decision-makers consider the issue or need
5 - decisions are made and everyone is informed
Q5.
A Youth Council allows young people to stand for elections and lead local projects, often called ...
Correct Answer: campaigns, campaign, a campaign
Q6.
Which of the following statements is correct?
Local democracy only happens when people vote in elections.
Correct answer: Local democracy includes everyday participation, not just voting.
Young people are not involved in local democracy in communities.
Local democracy only affects politicians and you cannot get involved.