How Can I Engage and Listen To Young People in Foster Care?

Do you want to be a foster carer and want to connect with the youth in foster care better? Fostering can be challenging, primarily when you must properly communicate with the children you care for. But don't worry! In this blog, you'll learn how to engage and listen to young people in foster care better.

Young People in Foster Care

Who are the Youth in Foster Care?

Before we proceed, it's essential to know who the young people, or the youth, are in foster care. Young people in foster care are children and teenagers who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other issues that put them at risk. They come from all walks of life and may be from any race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic lifestyle. They may also have special needs, including physical, emotional, or behavioural challenges.

What are the Challenges Youth in Foster Care Face?

Youth in foster care face several challenges, which can vary depending on their backgrounds. Knowing these challenges will help you better engage, listen, and connect to the children you care for. These differ depending on trauma to educational difficulties.

  • More often than not, youth in foster care have experienced trauma, like abuse, neglect, or witnessing domestic violence. This trauma can have a lasting impact on their mental, emotional, and physical health. With this, children in foster care may require specialised support to address.

  • Youth in foster care may often move from one placement to another. This lack of stability can make it difficult for them to form relationships, attend school consistently, and succeed academically. Disruptions in their education, a lack of support, or a need for specialized services can impact their future opportunities and make it difficult for the youth in foster care to achieve their goals.

  • Being separated from their biological families can be traumatic for foster care youth and lead to feelings of loss and abandonment. Maintaining connections with family members can be difficult, especially if they are placed far away or if visitation is restricted. 

  • Youth in foster care may also feel ashamed or stigmatised because of their situation. This can make it difficult for them to make friends, participate in activities, and reach their full potential.



Why Is It Important to Listen and Engage with Young People in Foster Care?

What are the Benefits of Listening and Engaging Youth in Foster Care? 

  • It helps them to feel heard and understood. Youth in foster care have often been through a lot and may feel like they don't have a voice. Listening to them and taking the time to understand their experiences can help them to feel validated and supported.

  • It helps them to feel connected. When we listen to youth in foster care and engage with them, we help them to feel like they are part of a community. This can be especially important for youth who have been moved from placement to placement and may need a stronger sense of belonging.

  • It helps them to heal. Listening to youth in foster care and engaging with them can help them process their experiences and heal. It can also help them to develop coping mechanisms and resilience.

  • It helps us to learn. By listening to youth in foster care and engaging with them, we can learn about their experiences and challenges. This knowledge can help us better understand the foster care system and how to improve it.



How Does Listening Help Build Trust and Improve Outcomes?

  • Giving youth in foster care a voice and actively listening to their input can help them feel empowered and valued. It can also help them develop essential skills like self-advocacy and decision-making.

  • Listening to and incorporating feedback from youth in foster care and its services and supports can be tailored to meet their needs better and improve their outcomes. These outcomes include stability, permanency, and well-being.

  • Building trusting relationships between youth and the adults who support them is critical to their success in foster care. Actively listening and engaging with youth can help build trust and promote positive relationships.

  • Listening to youth in foster care can help adults better understand their unique perspectives, experiences, and needs. This understanding can inform policies and practices that better meet the needs of youth in care.

  • Youth in foster care have a legal right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Listening to their input and engaging them in decision-making is crucial for their well-being and upholding their legal rights.



What are the Barriers to Listening and Engagement to Young People in Foster Care?

What are the Common Barriers When Listening To and Engaging With Youth in Foster Care?

  • Many youth in foster care have experienced trauma, which can make it difficult for them to trust others, share their thoughts and feelings, or engage in meaningful relationships.

  • Building trust between youth in foster care and adults can be challenging, especially if they have experienced multiple placements and have had negative experiences with previous caregivers.

  • Youth in foster care may have difficulty expressing themselves or communicating effectively, especially if they have limited language skills, developmental delays, or other disabilities. They may also come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. They may require specialized support to communicate and engage with them effectively.

  • Negative stereotypes and stigma may be associated with foster care, which can make it difficult for youth, like funding or specialised training.

How Can These Barriers Be Overcome?

  • Foster care agencies and carers can receive training on trauma-informed care, emphasising safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. This approach can create a supportive environment for youth in care and facilitate their engagement.

  • Agencies can also establish youth advisory councils or other forums to share their thoughts and ideas on policies and services. This can give youth a voice in decision-making and promote their engagement. Peer support groups or mentoring programs can also provide a community for youth to share their experiences and build positive relationships.

  • Advocacy organisations can work to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by youth in foster care and push for policies and practices that promote their engagement and well-being.

  • Agencies and carers can use active listening techniques, like paraphrasing, clarifying, and summarising, to ensure they fully understand what the youth is communicating. This can help build trust and facilitate effective communication.




What are the Strategies for Listening and Engagement to Young People in Foster Care?

What are Specific Strategies for Listening To and Engaging With Youth in Foster Care?

It is important to remember that every young person in foster care is different. What works for one person may only work for one person. Listening to and engaging with youth in foster care can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these strategies, you can help young people in foster care feel heard, understood, and supported.

  • It is essential to validate the feelings and experiences of youth in foster care, even if you disagree with them. This can involve acknowledging their emotions, showing empathy, and demonstrating their feelings are important and valued.

  • Youth in foster care can often feel powerless and unheard in decision-making processes. It is essential to involve them in decisions that affect their lives, like placement changes, school enrollment, and healthcare decisions, and provide them with a sense of choice and control over their lives.

  • Building positive relationships with youth in foster care can help them feel supported and valued. This can involve spending time with them, engaging in activities they enjoy, and being a positive role model.

  • Advocating for youth in foster care involves working to ensure that their needs are met and that they have access to the resources and services needed to thrive. These include working with foster care agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders to promote policies and practices that support the well-being of youth in care.

  • Active listening involves paying close attention to what the youth is saying and demonstrating that you understand and value their thoughts and feelings. This can include asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and reflecting on what they have said to ensure you understand them correctly.

What are Some Examples of Successful Engagement Strategies with Youth in Foster Care?

Many success strategies can be used with youth in foster care. By using these strategies, we can help young people feel heard, understood, and supported. These strategies can also help you effectively engage with youth in foster care and support their well-being and success. This can lead to improved outcomes for young people, including increased self-esteem, improved academic achievement, and reduced risks of challenging behaviours.

  • Youth-led organisations run by and for youth in foster care provide opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills. It also helps them to build relationships and advocate for their needs and interests.

  • Mentoring programs match youth in foster care with supportive adults who provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Mentoring relationships can provide youth with a positive role model, a listening ear, and a source of inspiration.

  • Peer support groups also provide youth in foster care with a safe and supportive environment. Youth can share their experiences, build relationships, and develop coping skills. These groups can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide youth in foster care with a sense of belonging.

  • Education and employment programs provide youth in foster care with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to succeed in school and the workforce. These programs can include tutoring, college preparation, vocal training, and job placement services.

  • Trauma-informed care involves recognising and responding to the impact of trauma on youth in foster care. This approach includes creating a safe environment, building positive relationships, and providing trauma-focused therapy and supportive services. 

Three Circles Fostering's Mission to Listen To and Engage With Young People in Foster Care

In Three Circles, we put young people at the centre of our actions. We take pride in hearing and listening to and voicing their views clearly and boldly. They will always have a voice in how we operate and what we offer them for the future. 

Our youth and community engagement program, KICup, has eight focus areas. The name KICup, which stands for "kids in care" and the word "up", was created by the agency's youth to represent how highly the organisation values the opinions and aspirations of young people.

8 Areas of the KICup Engagement Service

KICup Skills Award: If a young person is 13 years old or older when welcomed to Three Circles Fostering, they will be given a book called "KICup Skills". This should be worked through with the significant people in their lives. Once the sections are completed, they will receive a certificate of recognition from N&AS. They will receive £100 when they turn 18 to help them start the next chapter of their life. Along with advocating on their behalf, we'll teach young people about their rights and entitlements. Independence is just the beginning.

  • Youth Zone: The Youth Zone offers people of all ages a safe space to interact with peers, have fun, and contribute to the organisation. The Youth Zone has meetings at the office or community events about six times a year. Ice skating, Flamingo Land, climbing, football gatherings, park picnics, and theme park trips are just a few!

  • Achievements: The youth's aspirations for their futures significantly impact the course that their lives take. We at Three Circles enjoy learning about the goals and accomplishments of the young people in our care and do everything we can to support them. When we are informed of the youth's achievements, we will send them cards and organise an annual awards ceremony where we can all come together to celebrate success.

  • Consultations: In many different ways, we consult with kids, teens, and carers. Every six months, we visit children to learn about their wishes and emotions. We give them information packets to inform them of their rights and entitlements. For children who are 13 years old and older and have access to a mobile phone, we offer a special KICup call number. We also advise at support work sessions, youth zones, and events. We gather feedback from carers on agency improvements during regional carer consultation days that we hold.

  • Support Work: Should they require it, youth may have access to 1:1 support work. In addition, youth can attend seminars at the office tailored to their needs, such as those on online safety, recognising their rights, assistance with understanding their entitlements at universities, and many more!

  • Outreach and Charity: We provide significant charitable donations in support of other organisations dealing with youth. These contributions are offered without conditions and not to promote our business objectives. We interact with the charity we support by going to philanthropic events. We collaborate closely with various North West and Yorkshire organisations to improve our practice and make it fully inclusive, innovative, and supportive.

  • Media: Here at Three Circles, we proudly manage or own digital media. We only shell out a little cash to have outside companies design and manage our website and social media. Our website is updated with news and resources, and we also have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

What Is the Importance of Creating a Supportive Environment For Young People in Foster Care? 

As youth have often experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse in their previous home environments, a supportive environment can provide them with safety and security. This will allow them to heal from past experiences and develop healthy relationships. A safe and supportive environment can also give them a foundation for future growth and development.

  • It can help establish trust and build positive relationships between you and the youth. This can help youth feel more comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings and increase their willingness to engage in the available services and support.

  • A supportive environment can provide stability for youth in care who might have experienced significant trauma and upheaval. Knowing they have a safe and supportive place to go can help youth feel more secure and decrease their anxiety and stress.

  • A supportive environment can promote the healthy development and well-being of youth in care. A nurturing and positive environment can help youth build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience, promoting their social, emotional, and cognitive development.

  • A supportive environment in foster care can develop positive relationships and build connections with others, which is essential for their long-term success and well-being. By creating opportunities for youth to participate in social activities, engage in mentoring relationships, and build connections with supportive adults, you can help youth build the skills and networks they need to thrive in the future.

What Tips Can Help Create a Safe and Comfortable Space for Young People to Share Their Thoughts and Feelings?

Creating a safe and comfortable environment for youth in foster care to share their thoughts and feelings is essential for building trust and rapport. By following these tips, you can create a safe and comfortable space for youth in foster care to share their thoughts and feelings and support their well-being and success.

  • Youth in foster care may hesitate to share personal information or experiences if they don't feel safe or supported. Respecting their privacy and ensuring they feel comfortable sharing information at their own pace is essential.

  • Building trust with young people in foster care is essential for creating a safe and comfortable space. This can involve being reliable, honest, and transparent in your interactions with them and ensuring you follow through on your commitments.

  • Active Listening involves paying close attention to what the youth is saying, demonstrating that you understand and value their thoughts and feelings, and providing them with feedback and support. This can involve using open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and reflecting on the youth's words.

  • It is essential to validate the feelings and experiences of young people in foster care, even if you disagree. This can involve acknowledging their emotions, showing empathy, and demonstrating their feelings are important and valued.

  • Young people in foster care may hesitate to share their thoughts and feelings if judged or criticised. Creating a non-judgmental environment where youth feel safe to express themselves without fear of retribution is essential.

  • Youth in foster care often feel powerless and unheard in decision-making processes. It is essential to involve them in decisions that affect their lives, such as placement changes, school enrollment, and healthcare decisions, and provide them with a sense of choice and control over their lives.

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