12. ‘ I feel social workers come and go a bit quick. I don’t care anymore. My latest social worker, I’ve already been told he’s only temporary. If you know someone isn’t going to be around, you don’t bother talking to them’
Editor's Notes
Description of the studies, methodology etc: Butler and Williamson – 190 children, contacts made via SSDs, interviewed in schools, youth clubs and children’s homes. 55% female, 0ver one third were BME, majority 12-15 years Your Shout! – Main aim was to find out how children experienced the court system, decision-making within that context and participation in their own care plans. 706 children completed questionnaires distributed through the magazine Who Cares ? Majority of sample aged 11-16 years (72%), White British (86%), 60% female Remember my Messages – Aim was to find out more about how children experienced being looked after. 2,073 questionnaires returned – distributed through the Who Cares? Magazine, also directly through local authorities, child care charities, in-care groups, children’s rights offices. 55% female, 83% 12-17 years, 85% White British, 12% disabled or long-term health problem Start with the Child, Stay with the Child – Project to establish a blueprint for a child-centred care system. Found out children’s views by a number of methods – questionnaire, group work, fun events and work with minority groups (ethnicity, mental health, asylum seekers). 400 children and young people involved, majority 12-16 years. Age and ethnicity not recorded QP initiative
More quotes Pages 67 - 87 of Butler and Williamson.
Break at this point to discuss in pairs, “Think of your last interaction with a child. How many of the points above did you fulfil?”
There are lots of other statistics in this publication about a range of issues regarding being looked after. Those selected relate most strongly to the need for good communication with children.
As with Remember My Messages (Shaw, 1998) there is more in this document regarding being looked after, but the selection shown here is based on the importance of establishing a good relationship with children in order to facilitate good communication.
More of this on Page 50 of Start with the Child, Stay with the Child. Break for short discussion in pairs, “Think of the last time you let a child down by doing something that you knew they didn’t want, or something that didn’t work for them (even a simple thing like cancelling an appointment or being late). Discuss what happened, and what you could have done to prevent it”
The studies we will be talking about are national, but a number of local authorities have undertaken local surveys and it would be rare now for there not to be some material in your area. If young people are involved in designing and carrying out surveys, you are likely to get more honest responses, but you will need to provide training. If there hasn’t been one, then organise it in your teams.
![Studies to find out what children say ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)