SCOTLAND’S Children’s Commissioner, Tam Baillie, will be at the launch in Glasgow tomorrow, Friday (5th November 2010), of a brand new practice toolkit for staff working with troubled children and young people.
Begins a spokesperson: “The toolkit – called ‘A Better Life’ – has been developed by Includem, the Scottish charity set up ten years ago to support Scotland’s most vulnerable teenagers, youngsters who have chaotic lives and are at risk to themselves and the community, because of persistent offending.
“It sets out key ways of engaging with these youngsters, who have often been in and out of the care and justice systems.
“The 11 sections spell out approaches to challenge a youngster’s offending and risk taking behaviours, including drugs, alcohol and sex and to probe with the youngster their feelings towards others, particularly their family and friends, and victims of their actions.”
Says Angela Morgan, Includem’s chief executive: “At Includem, we have worked with several thousands of young people over the years and we are committed to supporting them have a better life.
“To be effective we have found that support has to be intensive and consistent, and at the times when youngsters need it most, in the evenings and at weekends.
“The ‘A Better Life’ toolkit builds on our years of experience dealing with the Scotland’s most troubled youngsters and highlights the approaches we have taken that have been successful.
“For youngsters, this means sometimes for the first time establishing a relationship of trust , confronting their behaviours and supporting them to think things through and make better decisions.”
‘A Better Life’ – edited by youth justice expert, Tim Chapman – will be used by Includem’s project workers as a practice framework for their on-going work with young people.
Includem, in partnership with local councils and the Scottish Government, currently supports 500 young people across Scotland.
NOTE TO NEWS AND PICTURE DESKS
Includem launches ‘A Better Life’ toolkit on Friday 5th November 2010 from 10.30 am – 12noon at Blairtummock House, 20 Baldinnie Road, Easterhouse, Glasgow G34 9EE.
Those involved in the development of guide will outline aspects of the project.
Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People will speak at 12.15pm and conclude the launch.
Further enquiries to:
Sabrina Dean, Includem communications officer 0141 763 3860
or John Brown PR adviser 07881 818474
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Contact: John Brown
Email: j.brown453@ntlworld.com
Website: http://www.includem.org
