Resources: Review - Useful exercises to help care-leavers addresstheir emotions

Published by Shelter; Price 35; ISBN 1 903595 61 4

This resource provides a range of exercises to use either individually or in groups with young people, designed to offer exploration of the emotional impact of moving to independent living. While it does not specify as much, it would appear to be more relevant for young people in hostels or other supported accommodation than in residential care homes.

The accompanying CD, which features songs written and performed by young care-leavers, is designed to demonstrate some of the emotions of these young people and can be used to initiate discussion.

The resource is intended to be a "grab pack" that can be easily read, understood and used immediately - the exercises are not sequential and can be used flexibly to meet the circumstances of the interaction between worker and young person. It is well laid out and each exercise has step-by-step instructions. Many exercises use tried-and-tested methods with content slanted towards exploring feelings, the consequences of behaviour and how to deal with emotions and subsequent behaviour. I was a little concerned at the number of exercises that were dependant on literacy, as some of the young people the resource is aimed at may not have the necessary skills.