Note: To keep the young person's identity confidential, we refer to them as 'B' throughout the example below. Any individuals in the header image are for illustrative purposes only and are not the subjects of this case study.
Background
T is a teenager who receives special educational needs (SEN) support within an alternative provision.
She struggled in mainstream education for different reasons, including challenges in developing peer relationships and managing and expressing her emotions.
T also presented risk-taking behaviours in the local community and school. Therefore T, her parents and school staff were keen for her to attend Barnardo’s Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP®) programme.
About WRAP®
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership worked with Barnardo’s to provide social skills training to 10 schools throughout the Humber region.
Barnardo’s used WRAP® for the programme. WRAP®® is an evidenced-based group model that is proven to increase emotional wellbeing.
Social skills training supports children to think before they act, understand other people’s perspectives, communicate effectively, and use strategies for managing aggression. Research suggests that children who develop social skills and self-control are less likely to become involved in crime and violence.
T’s 10-week WRAP® programme was delivered by 2 newly accredited WRAP® facilitators from school, alongside an experienced Barnardo’s worker. Positive relationships quickly formed between T and the facilitators.
Reflecting on Relationships
In her sessions, T reflected on her current and past relationships. She considered who helped and hindered her in life. T also benefitted from determining who her ‘trusted adults’ were in school.
She used her newfound knowledge to decide who she ‘hung around with.’ The changes she made in her friendship group had a positive impact on her mood, her attitude to learning, and relationships at home.
Exploring wellness tools gave T the opportunity to try new things. She re-engaged with activities she’d previously enjoyed but had been replaced with risk-taking behaviours. T was supported to understand the impact of these activities on her wellbeing.
A Success Story
T attended all 10 sessions. Sometimes she used the 'time out' option to help her manage her responses to other people. This helped T practise stepping away to regulate her emotions and then re-join the group – calm and ready to engage.
In a group discussion, T shared, "I’m enjoying talking about myself more and being open. It feels okay to think about myself like this, which is weird."
