Vulnerable Adolescents

We have developed a one-day course to support practitioners working with families and young people at all levels, universal to targeted. The course builds skills and knowledge in adolescent development and possible impacts of adversity and explores ways to come alongside young people to build trusting relationships and identify the right support.

There is no single definition of adolescence; it covers more than one educational phase as well as growing maturity and independence. The national Audit office (2022) estimated there are 7.3 million 9 to 19-year-olds in England.  Some adolescents are vulnerable to seriously adverse, avoidable outcomes such as physical or mental harm (including exploitation), leading to contact with the criminal justice system; periods of not being in education, employment or training (NEET); or severe mental health difficulties. If these adolescents do not receive effective support, from whatever source, at the right time, their problems may become entrenched and require intense and expensive support to reverse or mitigate any harm.

Our course explores the concepts around Contextual Safeguarding as an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people’s experiences of significant harm beyond their families.

Learning Outcomes include:

• Understanding Contextual Safeguarding and be able to adapt to daily practice. 
• Understand Adolescent development including brain development.
• Impact of Trauma and adversity on the development
• Explore communication and relationship-based practice when working with adolescents.
• The course can be delivered in house face to face or virtually and will be tailored to fit your needs and service.