2. Young people's concerns

Look beyond the young person you see and remember that a looked after young person has many roles. As well as living in a residential home, he or she is a son, daughter, sister, brother, and perhaps a student, football player, singer, cook etc.

Try making a list for a child you are caring for. Doing this will prepare you for one of the tasks in the next section.

"Staying positive and engaging with them would be one of the best responses. trying to work and develop a relationship, even to begin to engage young people, is very challenging, because you really have to get to know them a little bit.. It's very hard when they're so closed down and they don't trust anybody."

Staff member of a residential care home in Northern Ireland. Ref: SCIE, 2008.