I Get By With A Little Help from My Friends - Part of Contextual Safeguarding Webinar Series from MRC

National initiative Making Research Count continues their series of webinars which explores the subject matter related to Contextual Safeguarding.

Young people can sometimes be exposed to harm outside of the family setting. When this happens, sometimes the young person’s peers are seen as the risk or the negative influence when considering safeguarding issues. This can often ruin or end genuine and worthwhile friendships, or put the blame or the responsibility of the harm within the setting of the victim’s relationships or peers.

But this approach all too often does not recognise the possible strengths and the helpful and understanding nature of different types of peer relationships. It is possible through good practice practitioners could properly examine the language, the attitudes and beliefs for work with adolescents, and provide clear steps to avoid blaming adolescents for abuse they have experienced, and to make sense of adolescent decision-making.

As part of an on-going programme from Making Research Count (MRC), this webinar explores a variety of opportunities to help consider peer relationships when safeguarding young people; delivered through studying two research projects that focussed on the role of ‘peers’ in young people’s lives.

Delivered by Carly Adams-Elias and DR Claire Cody from University of Bedfordshire, the webinar will discuss the key aspects that the projects have in common, and aim to illustrate why and how peer support can contribute toward young person’s experience of safety and recovery.

To watch the webinar visit the MRC website.