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APPENDIX 3: CYP CONSULTATION EVENTS: BRIEFING FOR WORKERS
1. Introduction
Scottish Women's Aid with the University of Edinburgh Centre for Learning in Child Protection ( CLiCP) and Claire Houghton (consultant) are carrying out a series of consultation events with children and young people ( CYP) about the priorities set out in the National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plans. This briefing aims to give workers more information about the consultation events and the role that they can have during the process.
2. Before the consultation events
Preparation with children and young people
Support workers are in an excellent position to identify CYP who may want to participate in the events. When identifying CYP, workers are able to use their knowledge of CYP's circumstances to decide if participation in this project would be appropriate.
Once CYP have been identified as potential participants, support workers can talk to them about the consultation events to see if they want to take part. Using the information leaflets about the project, support workers can discuss the events with CYP explaining the purpose and helping them to decide if they want to take part. Workers can reassure CYP that during the events, they have the right to not answer questions or take part in exercises they do not want to and can change their mind about taking part at any point. Using the consent form, workers can ensure that CYP understand what participation in the project involves.
Preparation with mothers / primary care givers
Support workers can discuss the consultation event with the CYP's mother to ensure that she is aware of the project and what CYP's participation will involve. Workers may wish to give particular consideration to talking with her about issues of confidentiality. Although during the events the facilitators will discuss and explore confidentiality with participants and any information shared by CYP will be anonymised, the events will involve CYP from various WA groups and other support services (for example Assist and Shelter). Talking with mothers about confidentiality may help to alleviate any concerns mothers may have about their children participating in these events.
There may of course be situations where it is not possible for workers to talk with mothers about the project, for instance if the mother does not have a relationship with the service. In these situations workers should talk with CYP about their particular circumstances and the potential impacts their participation in this project could have on their lives.
If CYP, mothers or workers have any specific questions about the events, please contact Fiona on 0131 226 4678.
On the day Practicalities
Workers will be responsible for accompanying CYP to the events and staying for the duration of the events. During the consultation events workers will be asked to be 'on hand' in case any issues arise for CYP, however you/they will not be asked to be directly involved in the consultation events unless their presence is requested by a child or young person. The consultation events will be facilitated by young people previously involved in SWA campaigns and research (Listen Louder and the forthcoming Moving House research), Fiona Morrison ( SWA), Marian Grimes ( CLiCP) and Claire Houghton (Consultant).
Whilst the consultation event is running, Connie Smith ( CLiCP) hopes to talk with support workers about the Evaluation of the Women's Aid Children's Services Fund.
After the consultation events, workers and CYP will come together for lunch. After lunch CYP and workers can then take part in the activity planned for the afternoon ( e.g. trip round Dynamic Earth, Science Centre, Fairburn Activity Centre).
Please note that all expenses incurred by CYP and workers on the day of the event will be reimbursed by University of Edinburgh Centre for Learning in Child Protection ( CLiCP) (see attached expenses form).
Support for CYP
It is important that when any consultation with CYP is undertaken support is available to CYP after the event. Having support workers 'on hand' during the event means that CYP have immediate access to support should they need it. At the end of the consultation event, facilitators will signpost CYP to sources of support. This will of course be centred on the support that is provided by their support worker and other adults they trust.
During the consultation event should any child protection concerns arise, the facilitator that is made aware of these will encourage the CYP to talk with their worker or an adult that they trust. If these concerns are a serious threat to life, health and/or safety of another young person, the facilitator will be responsible for relaying these concerns to the support worker, where possible involving the CYP in the process.
After the event
The report written about the findings of consultation events will be compiled by CLiCP. Copies of the report will be circulated to workers, who can pass these on to the CYP who were involved with the event.
Fiona Morrison
Children's Policy
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