Unit 014 Maintain and Support Relationships with Children and Young People

Children are social learners and it is crucial that all adults working with them need to model good communication through listening and speaking which will aid the development of the child’s friendships, confidence and self-esteem.

Explain why positive relationships with children and young people are important and how these are built and maintained.

The main policies relating to behaviour will be the behaviour policies but other policies will also have an impact for example the health and safety policies, child protection policies and anti-bullying policies. All adults in school are expected to act as good role models and to behave in a consistent manner. We make sure that good behaviour is recognised and praised as well as praising children for good work, effort and achievement.

Explain the benefits of all staff consistently and fairly applying rules and boundaries for children and young people’s behaviour in accordance with the policies and procedures of the setting.

As child practitioners we must work on our skills in communicating with children because the way we communicate with them is important not only for their communication and language development, but also the development of our relationship with them. Young children often aren't able to express their thoughts and feelings in words, or express them poorly. Because of this, it's important that child practitioners can listen carefully and help children to learn how to express themselves and also provide what they need.

Body Language Positive body language is important, and if with young children it is best to come down to their level. Smile and use positive gestures like a ‘thumbs up’. Often I will have to remind the pupils of their behaviour, this can be done with a simple glance or folding of the arms.

Children Act 1989 – Protecting children’s welfare and to provide services according to the specific needs of children.

The integral part of this act is to maintain the child is at the forefront of decisions; the best option in relation to the child’s welfare will be taken into account when deciding the best course of action for the child/young person’s upbringing – creating a partnership between parents and multi-agencies.

Effective communication with children is important to make sure that they understand the language of learning so that they can grasp concepts and ideas, actively take part in problem solving and successfully develop their own ideas and opinions. It is important for children to be able to feel welcome in the classroom environment and valued within the school. Encouraging children to ask questions, give their own answers and contribute to class activities will help to develop a positive working relationship with the children. It is

Child Act 1989- “the Children Act 1989 aimed to ensure that the welfare of the child was paramount, working in partnership with parents to protect the child from harm” http://www.careandthelaw.org.uk/eng/b_section2 appendix 3

Communicate with children and young people in a way that is appropriate to the individual, using both conventional language and body language

1.1 Explain why positive relationships with children and young people are important and how these are built and maintained

To be able to safeguard children effectively we need to be aware of the following policies:

We also need to consider the child's perspective if they ask us for our opinion or advice. Children are much more likely to listen to our opinion or advice if we can put it in a way that means something to them. For

1) Describe the role of a volunteer working in school in supporting children and young people. You should describe how to establish professional relationships with children. Explain how your approach to supporting might vary according to the age of the children / young people you are involved in supporting for example, preschool, primary, secondary or Post 16.