The aim of this paper was to explore and describe how the children and the young people, the users of social welfare institutions, see the participation of children on general level, and specifically at the institutional level. For the purpose of conducting research, a qualitative research approach was used. The data was collected via the focus groups at the Center for Providing Services in the Community in Zagreb, after which the content was processed through qualitative analysis. The results of the research show that in most cases the participants are not informed and that they are poorly involved in making-decisions that matter to them. In addition, there are differences in certain areas regarding the participants from different educational groups. In the male educational group there is a more pronounced motivation for participation and a much more positive attitude towards the institution and educators. The concluding part of this paper features suggestions for increasing the participation of children in institutions. These suggestions are aimed at involving the user in the overall course of the interventions, and increasing awareness of the users of instituions, involving them in all the issues directly related to them and creating an environment that encourages the usres to participate.