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Kelly Shaw

Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Biography
I have been working in the field for almost 20 years – which amazes me every time I say it. I started as a Child and Youth Care Worker in a short-term assessment program for young people age 12-16. That was a pretty crazy time. Only a few of my colleagues had any relevant training or experience. After working for a few years I went back to school and took an Education Degree—I thought, “I like kids so I should teach school.” After finishing that degree I got a position as a Child and Youth Care Worker in a program called Nexus, which was a relationship based program with a family focus. A lot of my work there was with families and I LOVED it. After a few years there I began teaching as adjunct faculty in a Child and Youth Care Program at the Nova Scotia Community College. This was another arena of Child and Youth Care practice. I became full-time faculty in 2005 and strive to facilitate Child and Youth Care Education in context. I have just completed my MA (Child and Youth Studies) successfully defending my thesis Barefoot in Their Home: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Child and Youth Care Workers’ Experience of Self in Family Homes on September 4, 2009.

How I came to be in this field
It was an accident, really. I was working as a Health Educator for an adolescent health centre and was on a committee with the program director of the adolescent assessment centre. She was hiring and asked if I wanted to put in a resume. I did and she interviewed me. I remember that interview – she asked what things I might like to do with kids. I said I like to cross-stitch and I like to bike. I have never – to this day – done either of those activities with a young person; but I have done tons of other really cool stuff.

A favorite saying
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
— Dr. Suess

A few thoughts about child and youth care

• It doesn’t matter how you slice it, if you are engaged in relational practice, YOU are engaged in relational practice. It is all about you.
• This is a job of tremendous responsibility.
• Take intentional risks.
• I think every Child and Youth Care Worker should think that the program they work in is the best program that exists.
• A lot of the great stuff we get to do with young people is about being in the right place at the right time. At the very least this means being with the youth – so, be with youth.
• Hanging out is a highly undervalued skill.

Last thing I read, watched, heard, which I would recommend to others
This is not rocket science – pun intended; but I still found it thought evoking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIgFKeSgT-4

Push a novel by Sapphire – A powerful, gritty story about a young woman. This is definitely not something to read to escape our work

A favorite Child and Youth Care experience
I have many, so this is not necessarily my one favourite, yet it is pretty powerful to be able to share this kind of learning with a young person.

I went to see the movie, “Seven Pounds” with a young person. Early in the movie Will Smith’s character is speaking to Woody Harrelson’s character on the phone. I found it uncomfortable to watch – Will is being very abrasive to Woody. In the middle of the scene the youngster leaned over and said, “I know this is a movie, and I hope there is a purpose to this scene. If there isn’t I can’t keep watching. It is not right to treat people that way.” Following the movie she talked about how she felt in her body during that scene and indicated that she had never noticed that feeling before.

A few thoughts for those starting out

• Residential Care is an incubator of Child and Youth Care development. Spend at least a year there.
• Advocate for supervision.
• Consequence = Outcome
• Be curious. About yourself; about others; about life; about why the sky is blue.

Recommended Child and Youth Care reading link
https://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0704-rhythmicity.html

A recommended child and youth care reading link
http://www.teenmentalhealth.org/
This website has tons of information for young people and adults (parents, community members, professionals) about how to support mental health of children and young people. I like this site because it is accessible information (have used it with parents I am working with) and really looks at mental health holistically.

A writing of my own
https://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0805-kellyshaw.html

Influences on my work
I am influenced by the courage that I have seen demonstrated by my mother, the bravery of my father and the resilience of my siblings and my partner. The relationships I have developed with my mentors and the unconditional support that I have experienced from my friends. I have learned more from the families I have worked with than I could have imagined prior to my engagement with them. I recently encountered three Child and Youth Care Workers who displayed generosity, curiosity and hope. Characteristics that I think are essential to good Child and Youth Care practice. I will remember them as I continue my work. The learners in the Child and Youth Care program where I facilitate jump in with both feet not testing the water beforehand; eager to play. I treasure their daring and naïveté.

Anything else
My Grampy always said, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” I think these are wise words.