Image credit: Pexels/Katerina Holmes
As the new academic year begins and schools begin to welcome back students, what can those working with children, young people and their families expect, and how can they prepare for the issues that are likely to arise?
As children and young people return to schools and youth groups after the summer holidays, many will be coming into contact with their friends and teachers for the first time since the holidays began. They may also be coming into contact with church workers for the first time since the summer began depending on availability of groups or due to being away. The behaviour of some children and young people may be different depending on what their summer has been like has been like and children’s and youth workers need to be aware that they may have to deal with a potential rise in cases of abuse and difficult issues that have become apparent during this time.
What are the issues likely to be?
- Some children and young people will have spent increased amounts of time online over the summer. It is worth remembering that they may have aggravated problems as the risk of exposure to inappropriate content, bullying, grooming, sexting or radicalisation will have increased. See our help guide to online safety.
- The new term can also bring new anxieties and stresses for children and young people, especially after the quiet of the extended break for the holidays. Some pupils will be facing difficult exams and coursework in the year ahead and with this potential increased worry. Check out Headstrong, a website for young people supporting their mental and emotional wellbeing.
- The age groups children are part of will also change, with many younger children who were recently at primary school coming in to contact with older children at secondary school and in the church youth group.
- Forms of self-harm can often be a consequence of these new challenges and increased by the summer period of little or no contact with support outside the family or home context. Not having the regular support of school during the summer can increase the risks for some children, for example in relation to their emotional wellbeing or if they are experiencing any forms of abuse or neglect.
What can workers and volunteers do?
- The most significant thing workers can do is to maintain contact or reconnect with the children and young people who they work with and their families. This is especially important where workers may already be aware of ongoing concerns or potential risks. Download our Guidance for communicating and working safely with young people online produced in partnership with Youthscape.
- Communicating with families about what your plans are for restarting activities after the summer is really important and who your internal contacts are, especially if these have changed.
- Make sure you are aware of the process for making referrals and getting in touch with relevant agencies if a concern does come up on the return from summer with a child or young person you work with.
- It may be a good idea to encourage parents to review their children’s online activity. There are some great resources from ThinkUknow for parents and the ‘Child Exploitation and Online Protection’ centre which can be found at www.ceop.police.uk is the best place to report any abusive or suspicious online activity.
Be aware when any of your young people seem upset, quiet or withdrawn and be ready to ask questions. Encourage other young people in your group to let you know if one of their friends is in trouble, upset, or shows signs of harming themselves. Friends often worry about betraying a confidence and you may need to explain that self-harm is very serious and can be life threatening. For this reason, it should never be kept secret.
Remember, someone becoming quiet and withdrawn does not automatically mean they are being harmed. By sharing your concern about them with your Safeguarding Lead, it will enable you to discuss ways of asking ‘open questions’ which may clarify their worries.
Whatever the new term may hold, you can always call our Safeguarding Helpline to get help and advice. Call us on 0303 003 1111.