Explain the strategies and methods that can be used to support children, young people and their families where abuse is suspected or confirmed

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Rebecca Lewis

Unit 10

P5

Explain the strategies and methods that can be used to support children, young people and their families where abuse is suspected or confirmed

A number of strategies can help to protect children and young people from abuse. There are a number of strategies that help to reduce the risks of abuse and help children and young people realise that they have the right to be safe, secure and free from harm.

Respect must be earned it is not demanded or earned and once gained it can easily be destroyed.  Consideration should always be showed for other people’s viewpoints and differing opinions need to appreciate. Once respect is found individuals may confide in you or inform you of changes or difficulties they are facing within the family unit.  This information could then explain changes in their behaviour and make it possible for you to help the child through a difficult experience.

It is important to remember that the child or young person is at the center and that they are the people who need to be empowered and supported so they can take control of their lives. They should be encouraged to develop strategies that may enable them to avoid situations that put them at risk. Children also need to be helped to be strong enough to seek appropriate support and guidance if they find themselves in an adverse situation.

Support needs to be readily available and practical when children and young people are in need. It may be useful to have someone who will listen, but children will also need someone who can provide the necessary support. It is vital to try to increase the children’s self-confidence and raise their self-esteem so that they are resilient and empowered. Children and young people who know they are valued and loved, and who are used to making decisions, are more likely to refuse unwanted advances and less likely to be drawn into exploitative situations.

Children need to understand that they have rights of their own. Children usually rely on adults to nurture them and keep them safe however they need to be aware of what is right and what is wrong. If they do not feel they are being treated fairly in any way they should be encouraged to tell somebody about it. They should voice their concerns and opinions to adults they trust. If children are listened to and treated fairly they will feel empowered to react accordingly in any situation.

Children need to be assertive at times and should be encouraged to do so. However, often adults like to be in charge and do not like to challenged, especially by children. When adults give children a choice they need to accept, for example, asking the question “Will you help me tidy up?” may evoke a negative answer. If adults do not accept the child’s answer then they are taking away their choice and disempowering them. In this situation it may be better to say “Come on, it’s time to tidy up” instead of asking a question.  Self-confident, outgoing children are less likely to be targeted by a potential abuser and this is a fact that should always be kept in mind. Self- confident children, with high self-esteem and resilience are usually talkative children, who are very open about what is happening in their lives and will speak out if they do not like something. The children with low self-esteem and lack of confidence tend to be less talkative and may feel that they cannot speak out, particularly if coerced. Accept the child as they are and praise them at all times. Explain that what they are doing is good and worthy of praise, talk to them openly and give them the attention they deserve, as you encourage them to be more assertive and responsible.

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You should also encourage children and young people to have open relationships with people so that they can share information. They also need to realise the difference between bad secrets and good secrets. Good secrets are usually only to be kept from one or two people, for example, presents for someone’s birthday. Bad secrets are usually those which are to be kept from everyone else except the people who are directly involved, for example, inappropriate pictures, words or touching. Children need people to confide in so that they can express their concerns and fears.

Children and young people need ...

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