The Importance of Family Relationships
For most young people, family relationships remain important even when they cannot live at home. Supporting these connections, where safe and appropriate, is crucial for young people identity, belonging, and eventual outcomes. Family contact supports understanding of history and identity.
Planning and Supporting Contact
Successful contact requires careful planning, preparation, and support. This includes preparing young people emotionally for contact, ensuring appropriate supervision, and providing support to process the contact afterwards. Contact should be consistent and predictable where possible.
Managing Complex Emotions
Contact often brings up complex emotions for young people - excitement, anxiety, disappointment, anger, or sadness. Supporting young people to understand and manage these feelings is essential. This includes preparation work before contact and creating safe spaces to express feelings.
Working Towards Reunification or Transition
When the plan is reunification, contact plays a crucial role in rebuilding family relationships and preparing for return home. This requires graduated increases in contact and work with families on skills and changes needed. Even when reunification is not the plan, contact can support other positive outcomes.
