This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain how to enable young people to express their views and understanding of their own behaviour and the effects of their behaviour on significant others.
Young people develop social awareness through conversations and small actions. They may not always understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Workers in the children and young people’s workforce need to create safe and supportive spaces where young people can share what they think. This means helping them to talk openly about their actions, feelings and the effect of those actions. The aim is to encourage reflection without judgement.
Young people will respond better when they feel listened to and respected. It is important to communicate in a way that matches their age, personality and emotional stage. Clear and personal interaction will help them feel comfortable expressing themselves.
Creating a Safe Environment for Expression
Young people cannot express themselves freely unless they feel safe. This safety includes emotional, physical and psychological safety.
Ways to create safety include:
- Speaking with a warm tone of voice
- Choosing a calm, private space for conversations
- Keeping body language open and relaxed
- Avoiding distractions and giving full attention
Safety allows trust to grow. Once trust has been built, young people are more likely to speak honestly about their behaviour. They may share thoughts and feelings that they have not shared before.
Building Trust
Trust is a foundation for expression. Without trust, young people may give limited answers or say only what they think you want to hear.
Trust can be built by:
- Being consistent in your actions
- Listening without making quick judgements
- Respecting confidentiality within legal and safeguarding limits
- Following through on what you say you will do
Trust takes time and repeated positive interactions. Always follow through with agreed actions. This shows reliability and integrity.
Using Age-Appropriate Communication
Communication approaches should be adjusted to fit the young person’s stage of development. Younger children may need simpler language and more visual cues. Older young people can process more complex discussion, but may still struggle to express certain feelings.
For younger children:
- Use pictures or drawings to explore behaviour
- Tell short stories that link to the situation
- Ask yes-or-no questions before open questions
For older young people:
- Give them space to talk in their own words
- Use scenarios or role play to discuss behaviour
- Let them guide the conversation pace
Matching the communication style to the young person helps them express themselves more clearly and confidently.
Encouraging Self-Reflection
Helping young people to reflect means guiding them to think about what happened and why. This is not about telling them what they did wrong but helping them see it themselves.
Reflection can be supported by:
- Asking open questions like “What were you thinking at the time?”
- Talking about feelings before talking about actions
- Exploring thoughts they had before and after the behaviour
Reflection activities, such as journals or art, give young people another way to express themselves without speaking directly. This can work well for those who find verbal conversations hard.
Discussing the Impact on Significant Others
Significant others are people who matter to the young person. This may include parents, siblings, close friends, teachers or mentors. The term means those whose relationship with the young person is important in their life.
Helping young people understand the effect of their behaviour on these people involves:
- Asking them to imagine how the other person might feel
- Using stories or examples that show cause and effect
- Encouraging empathy through shared activities
It can be powerful for young people to hear directly from the people affected, if safe and appropriate. This must be handled carefully, with preparation to avoid conflict or harm.
Avoiding Shame
Shaming a young person makes them shut down emotionally. Shaming often leads to defensive behaviour. Workers must focus on behaviour, not on labelling the person.
Positive strategies include:
- Using “I” statements, such as “I noticed you were upset yesterday”
- Keeping tone calm and free from blame
- Looking at the incident as a situation to explore together
This approach maintains dignity and promotes learning. Young people begin to see behaviour as something they can change and improve.
Active Listening Skills
Active listening means showing you are paying attention, both verbally and non-verbally.
Techniques include:
- Nodding and maintaining comfortable eye contact
- Repeating back what the young person said to confirm understanding
- Allowing pauses without rushing to fill silence
- Asking clarifying questions gently
Active listening gives young people confirmation that their words matter. It builds confidence and promotes open dialogue.
Using Group Work for Peer Feedback
Group activities can help young people understand how their behaviour is seen by others. In small, supported groups, they can share experiences and give constructive feedback.
Group methods include:
- Peer discussions with ground rules
- Role play exercises showing behaviour impact
- Team tasks where cooperation is important
Workers should monitor group sessions to ensure feedback is respectful and helpful. Model how to give feedback by using positive language and focusing on actions rather than personal traits.
Recording Views
Some young people may be more comfortable writing down their thoughts. Allowing them to keep written records can help track changes in thinking over time.
Examples:
- Personal journals
- Reflection sheets completed after incidents
- Private letters they choose to share later
Records can be revisited to see growth and changes in behaviour awareness.
Adapting Support for Individual Needs
Not all young people process information in the same way. Some may have special educational needs, mental health challenges or language barriers.
Adaptations may involve:
- Using visual aids or symbols
- Working with interpreters or translators
- Simplifying the discussion structure into short steps
- Offering more breaks during the conversation
Tailoring the approach respects the individual needs and ensures they can join in meaningfully.
Involving Families and Caregivers
Families can provide valuable insight into behaviour patterns and emotional triggers. Involving them, with consent, can make discussions more effective.
Ways to include families:
- Holding joint meetings where each person can speak
- Sharing positive observations as well as concerns
- Encouraging supportive roles at home
Families may also help reinforce reflection activities outside the setting. This strengthens the link between the young person and significant others.
Setting Goals Together
Once the young person has expressed their views, it is helpful to set small and clear goals for behaviour change. Goals should be agreed together so they feel ownership.
Goal-setting steps:
- Choose realistic and achievable targets
- Write them down in simple language
- Plan how to track progress
- Review regularly with positive reinforcement
Goals help the young person focus on positive change. Feedback should highlight successes alongside areas to work on.
Respecting Cultural Backgrounds
Culture shapes communication and behaviour expectations. Workers must be aware of the cultural context surrounding the young person.
Respecting cultural backgrounds may include:
- Learning greetings and respectful forms of address
- Recognising traditions that influence behaviour norms
- Avoiding assumptions about meanings behind actions
Cultural respect builds stronger relationships and helps discussions about behaviour feel relevant and fair.
Preventing Miscommunication
Miscommunication can lead to tension and misunderstanding. Young people may misinterpret facial expressions, tone or words.
Prevent this by:
- Using plain language without jargon
- Checking understanding by asking the young person to repeat back
- Avoiding sarcasm or ambiguous phrases
Clear communication supports accurate expression and reduces conflict.
Supporting Emotional Regulation
Behaviour is often linked to emotional control. Helping young people manage their emotions makes reflection easier.
Strategies include:
- Breathing exercises before discussion
- Recognising and naming emotions aloud
- Taking short breaks during high tension
Learning regulation skills empowers young people to address challenges in a calmer frame of mind.
Using Positive Reinforcement
Highlighting positive behaviour encourages more of it. This support strengthens self-esteem.
Methods include:
- Praising specific actions
- Displaying personal achievements
- Offering opportunities for responsibility
Positive reinforcement should always link back to the behaviour discussion to keep the focus clear.
Final Thoughts
Helping young people express their thoughts about their actions and their impact on significant others requires patience, trust and careful listening. The process is about creating safe spaces and using communication methods that match their needs. Each interaction is a chance to build confidence, self-reflect and learn new ways to manage behaviour.
By focusing on respect and empathy, workers can guide young people to see how their actions affect others without judgement. This builds deeper self-awareness and improves relationships, making a strong foundation for healthier behaviour in the future.
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