Professionals working with young people using violence tell us about their work....
“Unfortunately, not all young people have had adequate care or life experiences. This results in young people struggling to manage and cope with life stressors and situations. This can lead to young people engaging in unhelpful coping strategies that may include the use of violence. Young people are often then seen as a representation of their behaviour, which is not an accurate reflection of the young person, leaving them miss understood.I feel privileged to support young people and professionals understand their trauma and use of violence.Young people are strong and resilient, and most are overcoming significant trauma. They deserve a second chance at learning to trust adults who can adequately support them. ” – Team Leader, VIC
“I have hope for the children and their mothers, hope that things can get better, safer, and they can even thrive safe from violence.” – Team Leader, QLD
“Supporting young people and families to create change from generational experiences.”
Domestic and Family Violence Specialist, QLD
“Knowing that things can change for families and young people with the right supports and connections.”
– Family Practitioner, VIC
“I love helping young people make positive changes in their lives and help shape their future wellbeing. It feels rewarding to help strengthen family relationships and the gratefulness that families show towards practitioners.”
– Practitioner, VIC
“Relationships developed with the students and supporting students to understand how their brains work to find other ways to connect and teach adults how to connect with students to prevent escalation of behaviour.”
– Mental Health Practitioner, VIC
“Giving them a voice and seeing them grow, even if it is starting in celebrating the small wins and eventually looking back and how far they really have come!”
– Head of Campus, VIC
“Because every young person deserves to be cared for and have someone who cares for them.”
– Wellbeing Worker, VIC
“Observing their experience of personal development and growth and how this can shift their perspective on themselves, their communities and the world.”
-Flexible Education, VIC
“Wanting to make a difference and to provide supports for younger people.”
– Case Manager, VIC
“The privilege of being in a position to support just causes and a strength-based approach with young people.”
– Program Director, VIC
“I am passionate about working with young people as I feel they are almost always misunderstood and the current services out there to support them are limited and I find there is almost always push back on criteria. I find them extremely knowledgeable and are always the ones to teach us.”
– Family Prac, VIC
Don’t forget that they are still Young People. They are not adults. They are not their father. Their brain is still developing. Meet them with compassion and empathy, understanding the challenging life experiences they have endured; and with respect for their developmental age and stage of life.
This is a wonderful opportunity to turn things around – so a young person doesn’t grow into violence. Relationship repair takes time but it is well worth it – it changes lives!
This is really big work. Don’t get disheartened if you don’t ‘fix’ everything; you are working within broad networks and many people care and contribute to safety nets.
Be led by the young person about how they would like to build rapport. It can take months to build that relationship.
One approach doesn’t fit or suit all families!
Have patience whilst navigating working with young people.
Change is possible.
You may meet someone who has a story similar to something you have heard before, but each person and their network are unique with their own intersectionality. Approach those you will work with with genuine curiosity. Active listening goes a long way.
The young person is the expert on their own experience. Continue to learn, to challenge yourself.
The focus should be on empowering parents and caregivers while providing young individuals with the support they need to comprehend their actions and decisions.
I love helping young people make positive changes in their lives and help shape their future wellbeing.
Young people deserve to have their voices heard. Hear their story, hear their perspective. Give them a chance to be the change they want to see… You might even find that within their family they’re the one with the greatest readiness for change.
