When you head out and meet up with young people there are a number of issues that you need to be aware of.
As a start think about your appearance, voice and behaviour. Be true to who you are. I remember doing detached work with an older man several years ago and he arrived ready to go out with a suit and tie on. It was what he was comfortable in and it did not pose a problem. He was true to his self and the young people will pick up on that. He always had an excellent relationship with the young people and the tie did not get in the way! Someone might say what about the danger of the tie being pulled – it never happened but it is good to be aware.
Get an ID Badge. You’re not undercover youth worker. Be open with who you are and clearly state what your purpose is. There might be some discussion over your role as you spend time with teenagers but your purpose should be clearly stated.
Be ready for any and all types of responses. Open hostility is not necessarily a problem. A group of teenagers being approached by an adult could cause anxiety amongst the young people and there response should be understood with this in mind. Think of ways of pre-empting their response and how you are going to deal with this. Bribes might be useful – cans of coke and bags of chips are always readily accepted! Have an ice-breaker game ready.
When I play games with young people I am often surprised at the games they want to play. It is easy to forget they are a young adult or an older child. The young adult wants to be recognised as ready to take on the world, the young child wants to be hugged and protected from the environment they are in. Games, props and bribes are not to be used as a source of power, to gain ascendancy over the young people, they are there to aid you in your work and should be used in that way.
Ask questions, listen to the answers and learn about the young people. Think about the type of question you are going to ask. You want open questions that will lead to discussion. Be ready to listen and learn. I forget names very easily, so take a notepad and makes notes after you have met with the young people. Don’t do it at the time, it might not be liked. But there again of you talk to the young people and explain they might be happy.
And finally, you need to understand boundaries. Two men approaching and meeting a bunch of young women out on the street is not a good idea. What about teens drinking, swearing, taking drugs, causing damage to property. How will you react? What is expected of you? And child protection, how will you deal with any issues you run into. What is expected of you? Talk to employers and the police. Be ready and set boundaries now.
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