It might feel scary to ask for help, but knowing what that help might be and how it works in real life might start to reassure you – we hope!
A support plan is an early part of the process of getting help. The team would arrange to meet you so they can explain their role.
They would ask you directly:
- what support you might need
- what you would like to change or achieve
- how they might work with you to meet your goals
Often, your first meeting will include your parent or carer, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Agreeing the plan
You would then work together to create a formal (ish!) agreement, stating what your specific support would look like, including:
- how often you would both meet
- where and when you would meet
- what you would need to do
- what tools and strategies you might try
- if there are any other specialist groups that could help too
It’s important that you feel comfortable, so they’d work with you to find a place that feels safe for future meetings, which might be a café, in school, in the park, at your home – or online.
You would then agree the plan and sign it together, so any work is clear and you both commit to the same goals.
Checking you get the help you need
The support you need is always individual to you, so you would both review your support plan regularly to make sure you continue to get the support you need.
Carol, Barnardo’s young people and families team - Newcastle