Take care of our vulnerable children

For my sins, I have had to attend ‘training’ on dealing with children who for whatever reason find themselves in care. The need to attend the training is entirely my own fault. To put not too fine a point on it, as is my want, I got myself into hot water through being what those who know me well would describe as being ‘too Linda-ish’. Not to elaborate too much on the issue, it involved my tattoo, and misinterpretation of some things I said in relation to children in care. I can put forward all of the arguments I like as to what actually happened, but basically it all boils down to my own behaviour, and my inability to communicate this appropriately to others. Privately I may well think that their reactions were out of all proportion, but I have only myself to blame. 

Thankfully, I was not deemed to be a danger to children, but it was felt that perhaps I needed to attend some formal training.

The upshot is that I am now enrolled on a Route 1 Advocacy Independent Visitor training course, and to be honest, although it is early days yet, it is the best thing that could have happened.

My interest and involvement in the care of vulnerable children is long standing, and whilst much of what I have learnt has just reiterated what I already knew, the opportunity to reinforce this learning in a formal environment has been invaluable.

I know from being a Samaritan that there are an awful lot of screwed up kids out there, many of whom, in being unable to handle the stress of their situation, consider taking their own lives or harming themselves. In speaking to them it becomes clear that they do not actually want to end their life, they just cannot cope with how things are and feel helpless. What I also know is that in the vast majority of cases the adults in their young lives have been the main cause of them reaching the tipping point that takes them over the edge. Heightened levels of anxiety are the underlying cause of most mental health problems, resulting in a negative impact on a child’s ability to thrive and achieve their full potential.

In league tables of stress levels amongst children across the world, the UK sadly comes at the bottom of the pile. What a woeful testament to what is happening within our society.

What I gained from the training sessions is an overwhelming feeling that as elected members, and representatives of our local communities, it should be compulsory for those of us in positions of power and influence to attend such training to gain a wider understanding of the complex issues involved in a child’s development. It is in our own interests to ensure that the next generation become fully functioning adults that can play a constructive part in our society.

It is only by understanding what is happening to them, that we can have any hope of ensuring that these children do not become the ‘lost generation’, victims of substance abuse, ending up in prison, or worse. On a practical note, why would we as well-informed individuals, allow situations to develop that mean these children become a costly drain on our society.

What has astounded me though, is the realisation that our teachers are not required to undergo such training. Surely this should be obligatory if our hard-pressed educators are to have any hope of reversing this negative trend.