Throughout this week, members of Wolverhampton's Children in Care Council and Youth Council are spending time shadowing key decision makers at the City of Wolverhampton Council during the annual Takeover Challenge.
The national event is led by the Children's Commissioner for England which puts children and young people into decision making roles.
Organisations and businesses benefit as they gain a fresh insight into their work by listening to their ideas and experience.
The young people are joining senior officers from across the council at meetings and site visits, including Managing Director Keith Ireland, Head of Finance Mark Taylor, Strategic Director for People Linda Sanders and Mark Blackstock, the manager of the Civic Halls.
One of them, Alicia Blewitt, said: "I'm looking forward to taking part in Takeover Day as it will provide a real insight into how the decision making process works in the city."
Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Takeover Day not only provides us with an opportunity to show young people how the council makes decisions for them, but also gives them a chance to influence officers in their day to day work.
"Children and young people bring with them fresh ideas, imagination and energy, and also challenge stereotypes about them that we hear too often."
- released: Tuesday 17 November, 2015