SIRCC 2020 Online | Being the lighthouse

Reflections and points for discussion

The image of a lighthouse has been used in a number of child care responses in relation to recovery services and projects to support children who have experienced different forms of harm. In this clip, Louise gives her own reflections as to how residential practitioners can be a 'lighthouse' for children, young people and their families.

'A guiding light may be needed as "when trauma comes back the lights go out'

1. How might children and young people experience the light you provide, and what would it look like to them if you were to illustrate this?
2. In order for lighthouses to continue to function to keep people safe they need a maintenance schedule (!) What do you think the maintenance plan should be for staff who are caring for children, young people and their families at this time?

Reflections and points for discussion

In this clip Louise highlights, using her own experience, the impact of not having a shared history with someone else in "being a stranger everywhere"– and when there is a record of her experience– the impact of how this has been written.

1. Louise makes a suggestion about a skill that could be developed with practitioners. Based on this – how could this become a possible reality, and what would enable this to happen?
2. Reflecting on your current practice and those around you – what is one thing you can commit to do today that would make a change in this part of your role and/or Service?

Reflections and points for discussion

In this clip, Louise raises issues in the balance of decision making and when this shifts to the child in need of protection to the young person who is perceived to be a risk. Further to this, the responses that are given as a result.

The question surfaces as to whether young people are having ordinary responses to extraordinary experiences.

1. There has been significant work in recent years in relation to recognising the signs of harm young people may experience – child sexual exploitation being one such example. How can we notice when our focus begins to shift in perceiving young people as a risk rather than being at risk of harm? What can we do to keep a level of awareness as to what may be informing our responses?
2. Based on the theme of 'the power of everyday care' what therapeutic responses are possible to give when looking beyond the 'presenting behaviour'?

Reflections and points for discussion

Louise discusses her experiences of the need for someone to have a shared history with who 'sees' you and supports with a sense of identity

1. How do you currently support young people to find a voice?
2. What do we understand identity to be?

Reflections and points for discussion

Within this clip, Louise talks about conditional 'appropriate' relationships, the impact of waiting to move in 'constant transition' and relationships being time limited. Louise also makes a connection with the impact on the future adult self

1. Our current system has "written in" messages about not continuing relationships with children and young people we care for in order to ensure there are safe 'boundaries'. Considering what Louise has said, and taking into account the Findings of the Independent Care Review what do you think the future could and should look like for caring relationships?