- A young person is a mirror of their own experience, i.e. their behaviour reflects their past experiences.
- It is important to understand the causes of a young person's high-risk behaviour. This is a good place to start thinking: What is the young person trying to tell us when he is aggressive or when he is silent?
- To do this, it is important to establish contact and a relationship of trust with young people. It is important that the young person feels safe and able to share their thoughts and feelings. Once they are able to articulate what they think and feel, understanding their needs will follow.
- It is important to establish a trusting relationship with the young person to ensure effective communication. Offering to be a partner in keeping the young person safe and seeking help can help ensure this. If the young person feels understood, his or her stress response will be reduced.
- For young people to have their say, they need to be listened to actively and without judgement. Be aware and sensitive to your own prejudices and possible labelling of the young person.
- However, it should be borne in mind that young people with complex traumatic conditions generally do not trust adults and may not open up easily. Establishing contact and trust can require a great deal of effort on the part of adults. However, being genuinely interested in making contact, and asking the young person with genuine interest what they really want and what they are prepared to do, including what support they need to do it, can be a real learning experience, and the young person will start to cooperate, be willing to accept help and support, and quietly take responsibility for their own life.
- It is important to do all activities with the young person, not from an adult position of power. It is not enough to spend time with the young person - it is also important to be emotionally present.
- Do what you say you will do (i.e. keep your promises) - this is how the young person learns that you keep them safe.
- It is important to provide young people with daily messages of security (e.g. clear and consistent guidance; stability and predictability).
- Just as risky behaviour occurs through relationships, changes in behaviour always occur through relationships. Adults are enablers of behavioural change in young people.
- All the small steps taken by the young person towards the desired results should be celebrated. It is important to pay constant attention to the progress made. The young person may not realise that they have already done a great job. Focusing on the progress will motivate the young person to make further progress.
- For a young person with high-risk behaviour, you need to be patient. Changes and their results can take time. There can often be setbacks, and it is important to stay by the child's side and be there for them. In these situations, it is important to avoid negativity and focus on the progress already made.
