Listen to thisRelational Practice is a term commonly used in the child and youth care space and holds much importance for the work we do with children, young people and families. However, it is a term that means something different for each person. When I think of relational practice, I think of connecting with people, valuing them as a person, and developing a relationship that creates a foundation for therapeutic work and healing.
As a leader of a large child and youth care organisation in Australia, the value of relational practice in my work can’t be underestimated. If we can’t connect with the people we support, and help them feel valued as an individual, and respected, there is no substance behind the care we provide. It is easy to tick the boxes and meet legislative and regulatory requirements, but what value do these things have for the person we are caring for?
Connection allows us to see the person inside, to understand and accept them, and move forward with healing. Connection allows for a relationship to be developed, and these can often be lasting long beyond the time spent in care. True relational practice will allow for trust and mutual respect to grow.
Being involved with CYC-Net has allowed me to connect with leaders across the world, and understand what relational practice means for them, and in the countries where they provide care and support. I have been able to see that relational practice has its roots in kids, their families, and the community they live in, and we are united in a common goal to look past the initial challenges, to find and connect with the person we are developing a relationship with. From my corner of the world, it is clear that ‘people change people’, and relationships are at the centre of the love and care we deliver in our programs each and every day.
When I reflect on my journey the things that impact me most are the memories I have of families and children and the relationship we had, and how those relationships were built from connection. This work cannot be underestimated and is at the heart of any models of care we provide.
The theme of this year’s Child and Youth Care Week is Relational CYC Practice: Across the World. It provides us with a reminder to focus on what matters for kids, their families and our community and what is needed for these people to thrive. It is easy to miss, or even forget, the foundations of good child and youth care practice when we are caught up in systems, politics and busy work. Child and Youth Care Week is a time for us to reflect on how we can apply relational practice to our work, and how we can ensure our engagements reflect this approach.
