In 2013, YAP Ireland CLG began working with a UK based group Investing in Children to review how YAP promote young people’s rights in our work.  We felt that this was a good opportunity for YAP to put forward our strengths based approach and commitment to involving young people in all aspects of our work.  In order to become members of Investing in Children, we invited the IiC assessor to come to Ireland and meet with young people involved in our programmes around the country.  In November 2013, Rob Johnson came to YAP and met with groups of young people in all our regions.  He asked the young people about they are involved in developing and reviewing their service plans and how they can make their voices heard on a local and national level also.  Rob also met with staff members and with the YAP Youth Forum.  In December, Investing in Children awarded the four YAP regions, Investing in Children membership.

Following on from that YAP Ireland CLG and VOYPIC in the North of Ireland were invited by Investing in Children to become assessors for other organisations seeking accreditation. On 23rd September 2014 YAP Ireland CLG in partnership with VOYPIC launched the Investing in Children membership award scheme. The membership scheme recognises and celebrates examples of imaginative and inclusive practice and gives organisations the opportunity to award services that can demonstrate a commitment to dialogue with young people that leads to change. The launch took place in YAP Ireland CLG’s Head Office. Key speakers at the launch included Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of Children’s Rights Alliance and Liam Cairns, Director of Investing in Children, UK.