Youth Connect

The Youth Connect team are part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and our youth workers have a wealth of experience working with and supporting young people with their personal, social and educational development.

There are multiple ways that we could potentially engage with a young person, and we try to take a tailored approach to the work. For example, our statistics have told us that we know that 14-year-olds struggle the most and that their key issue is often peer relationships and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, we focus much of our work on promoting peer relationships and supporting the emotional wellbeing of young people. This targeted approach helps us address their specific needs more effectively.

For more information on our entire offer, please refer to our Youth Service Offer leaflet.

Youth One-Off Consultations

When you refer a young person to our Youth Connect team for support, we begin by scheduling you an initial consultation with one of our dedicated youth workers. This one-time meeting is designed to give you a chance to openly discuss the specific challenges and issues that the young person is currently facing.

During this session the youth worker will listen carefully to your concerns, ask relevant questions to better understand the situation and provide initial guidance or suggestions on how to address these challenges. This consultation serves as a crucial first step in identifying the most appropriate support and resources for the young person's needs.

If you would like to refer your young person to Youth Connect, please contact our Help Desk at Adoptionsupport@adoptioneastmidlands.nottscc.gov.uk or contact us on 0115 804 4500. 

Youth Connect Club

Our Youth Connect Club is a ten-week programme focusing on key youth issues such as healthy relationships, boundaries and consent, social media, and skills in developing and maintaining relationships.  

The sessions consist of up to 10 young people and will take place in youth centres in different parts of the region. We ask your young person to participate in fun activities including the use of our VR headsets to support discussion about key issues. An example of the content of our Youth Connect Club can we found below:

Peer Relationships

  • Activities: Icebreakers and group discussions on friendship dynamics.
  • Focus: Understanding healthy vs. unhealthy friendships, recognising red flags, and fostering supportive connections.

Body Confidence

  • Activities: Workshops on self-esteem and positive body image.
  • Focus: Exploring societal standards of feminine and masculinity, celebrating diversity, and engaging in activities like journaling and art to express self-acceptance.

Boundaries and Consent

  • Activities: Interactive role-playing scenarios and discussions.
  • Focus: Understanding personal boundaries, the importance of consent in all relationships, and effective communication skills.

Healthy Relationships

  • Activities: Group discussions and case studies.
  • Focus: Identifying the traits of healthy relationships, including respect, trust, and support, and how to build and maintain them.

Social Media Awareness

  • Activities: VR sessions exploring the impact of social media.
  • Focus: Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of social media, recognising cyberbullying, and learning about digital footprints.

Reflection and Empowerment

  • Activities: Sharing experiences, creating vision boards, and setting personal goals.
  • Focus: Reflecting on what they’ve learned, reinforcing their sense of agency, and encouraging them to advocate for themselves and others.

This holistic approach will not only equip your young person with essential life skills but also foster a supportive community where they can thrive.

To see the next available dates for the youth connect club, please refer to our Youth Connect Club page. Please ensure your young person is available for all scheduled dates, as full attendance is required to take part.

Young People's Events

We organise regular events for young people aged 8-12 and 13-18 years old during every school holiday. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for your young person to connect with other adopted young people in a supportive and engaging environment. Participants can enjoy a variety of activities designed to be both fun and therapeutic, ensuring they are accessible to everyone. These activities might include arts and crafts, sports, games, and group discussions, all aimed at promoting emotional well-being and social interaction. Our dedicated youth workers and social workers are present at these events to offer guidance, support, and ensure a safe and nurturing atmosphere for all attendees.

To find out about or up and coming young people's events, please visit our Young People's Offer page.

Youth Forums

Our youth forums provide a safe, inclusive space for adopted and kinship young people to connect, share experiences and influence change. Our youth forums help young people build confidence, develop communication and leadership skills and work together on campaigns and activities that matter to them. 

We have three youth forum groups:

  1. Voice of Adoption: 14 - 18 years old
  2. Junior Voice of Adoption: 10 - 13 years old
  3. Kinship Adoption: 10 - 18 years old

Do you have a young person who would like to participate? To register their interest, please visit our youth offer page. 

Safe Space in School - Whole School Approach

We will collaborate with your young person’s school and work closely with dedicated staff members to create a safe and supportive space for vulnerable students. This group may include other young people who, while not adopted, share similar experiences and can build positive relationships with each other, supported by staff and a youth worker. Once the group is well-established, the youth worker will gradually step back, allowing the school to continue the work independently.

Additionally, we anticipate that an education worker will provide ongoing support to the school, ensuring a trauma-informed approach is maintained. Teachers will also have opportunities to receive guidance from an Occupational Therapist to address the sensory needs of your young person.

To learn more about our Whole School Approach, please visit our Education page.

Parents - What are your views?

We want to hear your views and lived experience of parenting young people. So that we can hear your voices, we are running a Parent of Teenagers Co-Production group led by peers and AEM staff.

This space will enable parents and staff at AEM to meet and think about the issues relating to teenagers and you as their parents, to hear your lived experience and to support the development of our youth offer based on those needs. If you would like to be part of this group and contribute to our service development, please click on this link Co-Production Groups page.