2.3 Give examples of ways to value children and young people who access services

This guide will help you answer the Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings Unit 2.3 Give examples of ways to value children and young people who access services.

As a support worker in health, social care, and children’s and young people’s settings, your role in ensuring the well-being and development of the individuals you care for is important. Valuing children and young people who access these services is an essential part of your responsibility. When children and young people feel valued, they are more likely to thrive, develop positively, and engage constructively with the services provided to them. In this unit, we give you examples of ways to value children and young people.

Create a Supportive Environment

Listen Actively

Listening actively to children and young people is a fundamental way to show them they are valued. When you listen, you:

Make eye contact
Nod to show you’re paying attention
Avoid interrupting
Respond thoughtfully

This demonstrates to them that their opinions matter and that you respect what they have to say.

Encourage Participation

Encouraging children and young people to participate in decision-making processes gives them a sense of ownership and control. This could include:

Allowing them to choose activities or meals
Involving them in setting rules or guidelines
Seeking their feedback about the services they receive

Show Respect

Respect is key in any relationship. You can show respect by:

Addressing them by their preferred names
Respecting their privacy and personal space
Asking for their opinions

Celebrate Individual Achievements

Every child and young person is unique, and celebrating their individual achievements can make a significant difference. This could be through:

Praise and verbal encouragement
Certificates or awards for milestones
Sharing their successes with parents or guardians (with permission)

Develop Trusting Relationships

Be Consistent

Consistency helps build trust. When children and young people know what to expect, they feel more secure. Ensure:

Regular routines are maintained
Promises are kept
Boundaries are consistent

Be Honest

Honesty is important in building trusting relationships. Always:

Be clear about what you can and cannot do
Admit when you do not know something
Explain your actions and decisions in an age-appropriate manner

Show Empathy

Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others. You can show empathy by:

Acknowledging their emotions
Being supportive when they are upset
Helping them work through their feelings

Promote Self-Esteem and Confidence

Encourage Autonomy

Encouraging children and young people to do things for themselves promotes self-esteem and confidence. Examples include:

Allowing them to dress themselves
Encouraging them to complete tasks independently
Offering guidance and support only when necessary

Provide Positive Feedback

Positive feedback reinforces good behaviour and boosts self-esteem. Ensure feedback is:

Specific (e.g., “I really liked how you shared your toys”)
Sincere
Immediate

Offer Opportunities for Success

Creating opportunities for success helps children and young people feel competent. This can involve:

Setting achievable goals
Providing challenges that match their abilities
Celebrating their efforts and progress

Recognise and Accept Diversity

Respect Cultural Backgrounds

Valuing children and young people includes recognising and respecting their cultural backgrounds. This can be done by:

Celebrating different cultural events
Providing multicultural resources (books, music, toys)
Showing interest in their traditions and practices

Be Inclusive

Inclusion ensures that every child or young person feels valued and part of the group. Ways to promote inclusion include:

Adapting activities to meet individual needs
Ensuring everyone has a chance to participate
Using inclusive language

Challenge Discrimination

Discrimination can be detrimental to a child or young person’s self-worth. Be proactive in:

Recognising discriminatory behaviour or language
Addressing it immediately
Teaching children and young people about equality and diversity

Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth

Offer Varied Experiences

Providing a range of experiences helps children and young people explore their interests and talents. Examples include:

Organising outings or trips
Offering different types of play (physical, creative, imaginative)
Providing access to educational resources and activities

Foster Curiosity

Encouraging curiosity helps children and young people develop a love of learning. You can foster curiosity by:

Encouraging them to ask questions
Providing answers or exploring solutions together
Engaging in activities that stimulate their imagination and thinking

Support Educational Achievement

Education is a key aspect of a child or young person’s development. Support their educational achievement by:

Helping with homework
Encouraging a positive attitude towards school
Collaborating with teachers and other educational professionals

Ensure Safety and Well-being

Create a Safe Environment

Safety is essential when valuing children and young people. Ensure their environment is:

Physically safe (free from hazards)
Emotionally safe (free from bullying or harassment)
Developmentally appropriate

Promote Healthy Lifestyles

Supporting healthy lifestyles is another way to value children and young people. Encourage:

Balanced diets
Regular physical activity
Adequate sleep

Provide Emotional Support

Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health. Provide emotional support by:

Being available to talk
Offering comfort and reassurance
Helping them develop coping strategies

Final Thoughts

As a support worker, there are many ways to ensure children and young people feel valued. Creating a supportive environment, developing trusting relationships, promoting self-esteem and confidence, recognising and accepting diversity, providing learning opportunities, and ensuring safety and well-being are all essential components.

By implementing these strategies, you not only help children and young people feel valued but also contribute positively to their overall development and well-being. Remember, your role is really important, and your actions can have a lasting impact on their lives.

Example answers for unit 2.3 Give examples of ways to value children and young people who access services

Example Answer 1: Listening Actively

As a care worker, I make it a point to listen actively to the children and young people I work with. For instance, when a young person is talking to me about their day at school, I make eye contact, nod to show I’m listening, and avoid interrupting. I also ask open-ended questions like, “How did that make you feel?” or “What happened next?” This shows them that their feelings and experiences matter to me. Listening actively helps build trust and ensures that they feel heard and valued in our interactions.

Example Answer 2: Encouraging Participation

In my role, I encourage children and young people to participate in decisions that affect them. For example, during activity planning, I ask the children what they would like to do or what games they prefer. Last week, I let the children choose between painting and playing outside. By involving them in these decisions, they feel a sense of control and ownership over their environment. This not only values their opinions but also boosts their confidence.

Example Answer 3: Celebrating Individual Achievements

I always make it a point to celebrate the achievements of the children and young people I look after. For instance, when a child learns to tie their shoelaces for the first time, I make a big deal out of it by clapping and saying, “Well done! That’s fantastic!” I also share these achievements with their parents or guardians, with the child’s permission. Celebrating their achievements, no matter how small, helps them feel proud and recognised.

Example Answer 4: Developing Trusting Relationships

Building trust is important in my work. I do this by being consistent and honest. For example, if I promise a child that we will visit the park after they finish their homework, I make sure to keep that promise. Also, I always explain my actions and decisions in a way they can understand, such as, “We need to go to bed early so you can have lots of energy for tomorrow’s school trip.” This honesty and consistency help the children feel secure and valued.

Example Answer 5: Promoting Self-Esteem and Confidence

To promote self-esteem and confidence, I encourage children and young people to try new things and celebrate their efforts. For example, when a young person attempts to read a new book, I provide positive feedback by saying, “You’re doing really well with your reading. Keep it up!” I also set achievable goals for them, such as reading one chapter a day, and I make sure to celebrate each milestone they reach. This helps them feel capable and confident in their abilities.

Example Answer 6: Recognising and Accepting Diversity

I make it a priority to respect and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of the children and young people in my care. I do this by incorporating their cultural traditions into our activities. For instance, if a child celebrates Diwali, I will organise a small craft activity where we make Diwali lanterns, or we might read a story about Diwali together. I also ensure that toys, books, and music in our setting reflect a range of cultures. This shows the children that their cultural backgrounds are respected and valued, fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging.