Community service workers play a valuable role in society, working with clients to assess emotional, social, and health needs in order to develop action plans that lead to improvements. The job requires communication and organization skills, which come in handy when working with a wide range of clients.
Part of a community service worker’s responsibility involves working with youths, particularly those at-risk. While it can sometimes be challenging to work with high-risk youth, doing so can be extremely rewarding. Here, forging meaningful relationships can make a huge difference.
Here, we cover a few key tips for working with high-risk youth, introducing ways in which community service workers can improve their communication with this particular group.
1. Putting in the Effort through Thoughtful Gestures and Communication
At-risk youth can sometimes feel isolated and ignored. As such, it’s important for community service workers to put in the effort and work towards building a safe space for open communication. Strong relationships are not always easy to build. In these circumstances, it helps to be thoughtful and flexible—clearly showing adolescents that you are willing to make things work despite any challenges or obstacles you might face along the way.
Thoughtful gestures and actions go a long way in proving your dedication, proving that you care about your young, vulnerable clients. Simply taking the time to learn about their interests can help you to establish a positive first impression. By being self-aware and purposeful with your interactions, you can aim for full transparency. This means communicating with your client about their needs and expectations.
2. Being Patient and Available in Community Services Worker Careers
When working with high-risk youths, community service workers will need to be both physically and emotionally available in order to accommodate their clients’ needs and help them improve their circumstances. Unlike workers with set schedules, adolescents can face challenges and difficulties throughout the day. Being physically present and emotionally available to engage with young people in these situations can help them significantly.
Those in community services worker training will know that developing trust is key for making progress. Although building a safe space for communication can take time, being patient throughout the process can help youths feel more comfortable, allowing them to open up naturally. By introducing them to a support network, at-risk adolescents can benefit from these services and begin working on improving their situation.
3. Showing Resilience and a Strong Commitment to Building Connections
Effective and successful community services workers are typically resilient, committed to their work and their clients. Individuals with community services worker careers should aim towards expressing this commitment, particularly as it can significantly benefit at-risk youths who will witness firsthand the effort and dedication put into their personal case and circumstances. This can prove to them that they are genuinely being cared for and listened to.
According to research, meaningful relationships can serve as a protective measure for at-risk youth, helping them deal with adversity. By establishing these meaningful connections, community service workers can promote healthy relationships—demonstrating their genuine desire, willingness, and ability to help youths overcome difficult circumstances.
Interested in earning a community services worker diploma?
Contact the Canadian Business College for more information!