Practical applications for a mentalizing approach with children and young people
Practical applications for a mentalizing approach with children and young people
We know that many practitioners seek skills development in order to better support the mental wellbeing of children and young people they work with.
This workshop will introduce and explore the core practice of mentalizing as a way of practitioners managing their own emotional states and connecting with children and young people through curiosity, empathy and validation.
Workshop participants will develop an understanding of, and practice, a mentalizing approach throughout the session to build confidence, contextualise and model the approach in their work. Participants will briefly explore the current context for child and adolescent mental health concerns and develop approaches for supporting wellbeing.
This workshop is designed for frontline practitioners, social workers, senior practitioners and workforce development teams.
Audience Types
Practitioners
Senior practitioners
Social workers
Principal Social Worker (PSW)
Residential / care home workers
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Child development | Child and family assessment | Developing excellent practitioners | Developing excellent practitioners
CQC - Caring | Effective
PCF - Values and ethics | Intervention and skills
Support around children who have experienced developmental trauma: Frontline Briefing (2023)
This briefing brings together knowledge and resources on working in a trauma-informed way with children who have experienced trauma and their parents/carers.
Positive mental health and wellbeing in children and young people: Suggestions for practice (2019)
The resource enables practitioners to create a wellbeing passport. This is a working document that should be shared with the child or young person, relevant family members and carers, and also professionals working with the child or young person.
Understanding self-harm among children and adolescents: Frontline Briefing (2019)
This briefing on self-harm is intended primarily for child and family social workers and their managers, and other frontline practitioners including family support workers and residential care staff. Other frontline staff including teachers, youth workers and health care practitioners are also likely to find it helpful. Its aim is to increase understanding of self-harm – what it is, why it happens, what it means, and how to respond to and support children, young people and their families.