ABSTRACT
A growing body of scholarly literature has analysed the realities of child and youth engagement (CYE) in a range of sectors (including healthcare, education, child welfare/protection) and settings (research, policymaking, practice). Our narrative review of this literature seeks to identify what is known and unknown about how effective and respectful CYE can be promoted across settings and sectors. Our results revolve around three topics: (1) assessment of CYE implementation (goals, outcomes, study methodologies); (2) barriers to CYE; and (3) facilitators to CYE. Adult-child relationship quality (facilitator) and the manifestation of power differentials (barrier) were particularly salient across settings and sectors. Recommendations based on our findings are provided to encourage future action and research to be informed by what is known and unknown about CYE.