Recommendation from Under 18, Looked after Children ‘in care’
- Don’t judge us.
- Don’t leave us waiting for help or without information on decisions that affect us. We want to be involved in what’s happening in our lives.
- If someone gets told they have mental health problems – give them time and space to think about it alone, or process with a friend/carer. We need time.
- Remember we are still young people.
- Don’t treat us differently because we are in care.
- Remove barriers accessing mental health services. This includes access, location, waiting times and information about how the service can help.
- Let young people be involved in deciding what they want or how they receive help.
- Social workers should be trained in life story work, talking therapies and anger management.
- If a young person has more complex needs, they should have access to more advanced therapy. But if social workers were trained in life story work, therapy and anger management then a lot of issues would be resolved.
- Not everything is an issue or problem – sometimes young people just need help to take stock and to speak about things.
- Young people need love and kindness, interventions should be tailored to this.