1. How confident are you about resolving disputes?

These four questions have been applied to two case studies - Harriet and Nathan. Read these now.

You might want to use this as a tool for care planning for individual young people.

You can download a similar worksheet for use with a child you know in the Extra resources section.

Nathan

  • When my key child feels safe and their needs are being met I know because I can see...?
  • Nathan enjoys spending time with other children at the placement. He has a good sense of humour and will allow others to gently tease him. Nathan laughs with staff members and is keen to join in with organised activities.

  • When my key child is getting stressed I know because I can see these changes...?
  • Nathan is manipulative within the group. He attempts to separate the group from each other and encourages an 'anti-staff' feeling among the children.

  • The triggers for these changes are...?
  • Nathan finds instability and change difficult. He finds it particularly difficult if he is around new staff members or new young people.

  • When these triggers have happened I know the following will help divert or de-escalate their behaviour...?
  • Nathan responds well to one-to-one attention. If Nathan is in a group with new children or new adults, he will benefit from having an adult with him at all times. Nathan will benefit from being reminded that this adult knows him and cares about him. He responds well to people being very kind to him. Nathan does not respond well if people attempt to get into a power struggle with him. If Nathan is being very disruptive he may respond well to being offered an alternative activity.

Harriet

  • When my key child feels safe and their needs are being met I know because I can see...?
  • Harriet returns back to the placement after contact on time. She seems light-hearted and chatty.

  • When my key child is getting stressed I know because I can see these changes...?
  • When Harriet returns to the placement she seems angry. She slams the front door and swears at a young person.

  • The triggers for these changes are...?
  • Harriet gets very upset if contact goes badly. She is angry if her mum has friends at her house when she visits.

  • When these triggers have happened I know the following will help divert or de-escalate their behaviour...?
  • Harriet has asked to be given space when she is angry. She should be allowed to spend time alone in her room if she chooses to. Harriet should be able to choose whether to rejoin the group when she returns from contact. Harriet's key worker should check with Harriet how she feels and recognise that Harriet will talk to her when she is ready.