Working with young people

Being a mentor or in this case a youth worker, is not just merely sitting and listening to someone or about suggesting what a person should do if they came to you in a situation where they are in distress. It takes professional skill from theoretical aspect to a practical one to becoming a helper with achievements. Years of experience and consideration are the key ways in truly developing these after the theoretical assumptions. This article will discuss some of the skills needed to work and establish relationships as a mentor for young people and two of the approach models, which can be used to frame these relationships and start helping the young person.

According to Carl Rodgers, there are interpersonal skills that help an individual maintain a helpful relationship. Although these skills do seem to come to us naturally on a day-to-day basis it is important that we consciously utilise them. Not only do they allow a helper in a youth work role to stay within the professional boundaries, they create a pathway for the person needing the help that you are working alongside to start initiating conversation, as it helps them to feel like they have your attention, a sense of openness and presence from the helper.

The non-verbal skills suggested by Gerard Egan, (1990) are guidance for youth workers in the western culture and a useful acronym S-O-L-E-R-A has been adopted.

The “S” stands for facing squarely towards the young person. This indicates attention; it is preferential that the seating is at an angle, as directly facing the young person may seem confrontational. The “O” represents open, postures were you are not crossing your arms, which is a welcoming signal. The “L” portrays a leaning or slant towards the young person, whi...

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References

Dunhill, A., Elliott, B., & Shaw, A. (2010). Effective Communication and Engagement with Children and Young People, their Families and Carers (1st ed.). Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.

Egan, G. (2014). Egan's skilled helper model. Gp-training.net. Retrieved 28 June 2014, from http://www.gp-training.net/training/communication_skills/mentoring/egan.htm infed.org,. (2013). Helping relationships - principles, theory and practice. Retrieved 28 June 2014, from http://infed.org/mobi/helping-relationships-principles-theory-and-practice/

Reid, H., & Fielding, A. (2007). Providing support to young people (1st ed.). London: Routledge.

Richardson, L., & Wolfe, M. (2001). Principles and practice of informal education (1st ed.). London: Routledge.

Sapin, K. (2009). Essential skills for youth work practice (1st ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE.