Empowering children - have i covered it?

[marialevi]

thsi question- Identify five points of good practice to support children and young people to empower themselves.- seems very repetitive in this unit about safeguarding. have i covered everything do you think? help please......

Children are empowered by knowledge of their world and the way it works. It allows them the ability, power and authority to make their own decisions and it is about giving them information that is sincere, respecting their views and acknowledging each child and young person as an individual.
Children need to know and understand that they have rights, as agreed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that these rights mean that they do not have to suffer abuse or harm.
Settings and professionals can help children to learn how to make positive and informed choices that support their well being and safety.

All professionals working with children need to support them to empower themselves in order to keep themselves safe, and this can be accomplished in the following ways:

• Provide children with information on safety according to their age and ensure that they understand the risks associated and the strategies to avoid danger. Allow them opportunities for them to take risks in which their independence and self esteem are developed. Children can learn through stories (such as Jack & the Beanstalk) and through television progammes, about risk taking and consequences. Make sure that children know and understand the Keepsafe Code. (www.kidscape.org.uk/young-people/keepsafe-code)
• Ensure that children have positive relationships in order that they feel confident enough to speak to a trusted adult if they need help and that they know that help will always be given if needed. Provide non-judgmental support for them when they need help with worries or problems. Offer the child information about other sources of help including Childline and The Samaritans. Never tell a child that you will not tell anybody else if they disclose abuse or neglect. The correct authorities will need to be advised and the child will lose trust in adults who cannot keep their word.
• Think about using age appropriate language when speaking to the children e.g. children will often call different parts of the body different things depending on their age and what language is used in the home environment.
• Encourage opportunities that allow choices to be made with positive outcomes and the reasoning behind these choices. Examples of this are road safety, anti-bullying, healthy eating, putting rubbish in the bin – informed choices mean positive outcomes. Setting an example is very important for children to learn from trusted adults.
• Helping them to comprehend and respect the boundaries they might come across. Emphasizing issues when they arise in a positive manner, such as taking turns, pushing in, being patient and allowing other children to take their time and do things in their own way. Setting rules and explaining the sense behind the rules so that they understand rules are for a reason and are to be respected. Allow them to solve their own arguments whenever possible and listen to reasoning.

Professionals play a huge part in supporting children to empower themselves. Children need to develop holistically and if they are empowered they will have the confidence and self esteem to do this and avoid situations which could put them at risk.