‘Who’s on My Side?’ In what ways can creativity be used to discover what young people with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties think of the multi-agency services they receive? (Sharing our experience, Practitioner-led research 2008-2009; PLR0809/056)

Abstract

In what ways can creativity be used to discover what young people with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties think of the multi-agency services they receive? The research investigates the effectiveness of using creativity as a catalyst for successful consultation with young people with behavioural, social and emotional difficulties. The aims of the research were to explore what the sample group thought of the integrated workings of the multi-agency services they received. The sample group consisted of eight young people from CYCES and the research encompassed the following areas: boundaries and clarity of purpose; confidentiality and organizational limitations; and informed consent. CYCES is a service delivered and maintained by The Together Trust and is for eight to 16 year olds with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. The Together Trust is a charitable organization (established in 1870) that schools and homes young people in the care service. Each pupil received a pack of toy soldiers. One soldier represented the pupil and the rest represented the professional adults involved in their lives, both past and present. They were asked to choose which soldiers they felt were on their side and which were not. They were then asked to discuss their choices. Film was used as my method of recording and presenting data and involved recording the sessions with the young people and analysing the information obtained. The research discovered several important findings: • Having a physical representation of services allowed pupils to make and challenge connections in a way conversation alone would not. • There is a need for appropriate youth activities and recreational services for young people. The integration of home and school services at CYCES is successful. Giving young people responsibility for other young people promotes greater understanding and betterment of children’s services. In times of change, children need services the most