Ask the Experts: Deterring children from tattoos
Jeanie Lynch, Tracie Trimmer-Platman, Peter Lewis and June O'Sullivan
Monday, August 4, 2014
Our expert panel offers advice on young people and tattoos, holiday cover, children living with substance misuse and mud kitchens.
Question: Kids at our youth centre are getting horrendous tattoos which only make sense if they stand next to each other. Their parents seem to be okay with it even though some are as young as 12 and 13. What should I do?
Tracie Trimmer-Platman: In the UK, it is against the law to tattoo someone under the age of 18, so you need to report this. Talk to your local police team or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers. Also talk to the parents - they may not realise it is illegal.
Many celebrities have tattoos and it seems to be a growing trend. For young people, it may be a way of having a "visible voice" - showing the world who they are and what they feel without having to say anything - or a way of expressing a friendship or connection with someone. But we know these friendships may not last.
Encourage the young people who attend your centre to think about the way life changes as we grow older. A good example is fashion and how that has changed through the decades. A quick trip to the Victoria and Albert Museum or somewhere similar could help prompt discussion.
Get them to think about themselves today in relation to themselves in 20 years' time.
Tracie Trimmer-Platman is senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East London
Question: I'm a DCS of a small children's service department. With resources under such pressure, organising holiday cover is a nightmare. How do you do it?
Peter Lewis: We work in teams to be clear about who does what. Managers need to know your trust their judgment and it really should be up to them to sort out holiday cover.
As director of children's services, you will want to know everything is covered and have a written list of names and contact numbers. Start with yourself. Who does the chief executive, council leader or lead member for children's services contact if you are not there? It is then a matter of cascading this approach down. You should have clear "redundancy" arrangements setting out what happens if someone is off sick, has an accident or is unobtainable.
Also, be sure to cover the "end of term rush" when all the outstanding issues from schools come in during the last week and first few days of the holidays.
Peter Lewis is a freelance providing interim local authority children's services leadership, and a former DCS in Haringey
Question: I'm working with a family where both parents have substance misuse problems. They are getting support from local agencies, but I'm worried about their children who seem to be struggling.
Jeanie Lynch: Children living in families where alcohol or drug misuse is a significant issue can grow up in a climate of anxiety and fear, and often end up taking on caring responsibilities for siblings and parents. This can affect their own emotional development and relationships with mum or dad.
As a result of the national Hidden Harm strategy, many substance misuse and mental health services run groups for children in this situation, giving them a safe and therapeutic space to express their feelings around their home situation. Groups like this can help children "recover" at the same time as parents.
Contact local services and also find out whether any child and adolescent mental health services support is available. A common assessment framework meeting may be needed to ensure the children are safe and help prevent this situation escalating into a crisis. Early support is always the best, so it is good to be proactive.
Jeanie Lynch works for Barnardo's and has 25 years' experience of working with vulnerable children and families
Question: We want to make a "mud kitchen" for the children at nursery. Where do we start?
June O'Sullivan: Mud kitchens are popular and great for learning, creativity and encouraging an interest in science. You don't need to spend lots of money or specific resources to set one up.
Create a kitchen outside using old play equipment like an old hob or sink and provide a range of utensils including pots and pans, spoons, funnels, whisks and containers. Make sure it is on level ground and, if possible, in a sunny location so mud pies and children dry out quicker. You also need access to water.
Allow the children to mix the mud to their own recipe, texture and consistency. Use top soil not compost because compost contains more bacteria. Provide other interesting "ingredients" such as leaves, dried grass, pebbles and shells.
Display photos and explanations for parents to help them understand why playing with dirt is good. Keep the area clear of animals and keep it tidy after use.
June O'Sullivan is chief executive of the childcare charity and social enterprise, the London Early Years Foundation
Email questions, marked "Experts", to cypnow@markallengroup.com