UNDERSTAND HOW TO SUPPORT POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Unit 030

Outcome 1 Understand how the social, economic and cultural environment can impact on the outcomes an d life chances of children and young people.

Outcome 1 1.Describe the social, economic and cultural factors that will impact on the lives of children and young people

Additional guidance Personal choice Being in care system Poverty Housing and community Educational environment Offending or anti social behaviour Health status of self or family member Disability

Health support (GP, health clinic, access to A&E etc) Addictions in family or self Bereavement and loss Family expectations and encouragement Religious beliefs and customs Ethnic/cultural beliefs and customs Marginalisation and exclusion

2. Explain the importance and impact of poverty on outcomes and life chances for children and young people. see YouTube clips ‘Poor Kids BBC’ (parts 1-4)

3. Explain the role of children and young people’s personal choices and experiences on their outcomes and life chances. Q. What personal choices and experiences impact on children and young people’s outcomes and life chances? In pairs, make a list of as many as you can think of. What impact do they have?

Examples Drink alcohol Take drugs Smoke Use contraception Subject choices in Year 9 Work experience/voluntary work Duke of Edinburgh Anti-social behaviour Take part in clubs/groups Travel

Outcome 2 Understand how practitioners can make a positive difference in outcomes for children and young people.

Outcome 2 1. Identify the positive outcomes for children and young people that practitioners should be striving to achieve. See YouTube clip ‘It’s a got to – Every Child Matters’

Additional guidance Positive outcomes for children and young people may include: Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic wellbeing (Every Child Matters)

Be healthy Physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually;   Physically, mentally, emotionally, sexually; Healthy lifestyles – choose not to take drugs; Feeling good about themselves and having good emotional and mental health.

Stay safe Safe from maltreatment, violence, neglect and sexual exploitation; Safe from accidental injury and death; Safe from bullying and discrimination; Safe from crime and anti-social behaviour. Have security, stability and be cared for.

Enjoy and achieve Should get the most out of life and develop the skills needed for adulthood; Attend and enjoy school; Achieve national educational standards, Achieve personal and social development and enjoy recreation.

Make a positive contribution Engage in law abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school; develop positive relationships (not to bully/discriminate); Develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges; Develop enterprising behaviour.

Achieve economic wellbeing Should engage in further education/ employment/training on leaving school; Are ready for employment; Live in decent homes and sustainable communities; Have access to transport and material goods; Live in households free from low income; Progress from deprived backgrounds.

Activity: How could you help children and young people achieve the outcomes?

Outcome 2 2. Explain the importance of designing services around the needs of children and young people.

Children are individuals and will therefore need different types of services and support. It is important to design services around them to ensure that you cater for their needs as much as possible. You will then also ensure that your service is well utilised.

Let’s look at Flying Start The Flying Start programme aims to make a decisive difference to the life chances of children aged under 4 in the areas in which it runs. It is led by the Children and Young People’s Framework partnerships.

Quality part-time childcare for 2 year olds Quality part-time childcare for 2 year olds. - individual or centre-based, part-time or full-time depending on need. Health visiting. Health visitors and midwives, working within a multi disciplinary partnership approach are a core part of the Flying Start entitlement. Parenting programmes. Parenting support services  based on both the universal and specific, individual needs of parents and their children. Basic Skills. Every family in a Flying Start area should have access to a Language and Play programme. Information sharing and referral. - to other more specialist services

See YouTube clip Early Days Children's Centre in Parson Cross By NHS Sheffield.

Outcome 2 3. Explain the importance of active participation of children and young people in decisions affecting their lives.

Especially important for older children They learn that their views are important You can discuss any issues/questions they may have They understand why things are happening better Makes them more co-operative Research shows that they are more likely to cope in stressful situations in the future

Outcome 2 4. Explain how to support children and young people according to their age, needs and abilities to make personal choices and experiences that have a positive impact on their lives.

Supply with good information so they can make informed choices – books, leaflets, websites; Set up visits from other agencies e.g. Drug and Alcohol Misuse team; Access to career advice; Stories/role plays/films showing advantages/disadvantages of personal choices; Being a good role model; Being available to listen and not judge.