Supporting Behaviour of Young People in Care

There can be no doubt that young people in care face many challenges. Being part of a happy, healthy, and functional family is a dream most of us aspire to, and many of us take for granted. It reassures us that we belong, that we are safe, and that we are loved, valued, and cared for.

Sadly, however, this dream is not the reality for all children and young people, and some, due to complex domestic circumstances, and despite everyone’s best efforts, find themselves navigating their way through the care system.

Because of what they may have experienced in their short lives, they may be trying to cope with incredibly difficult feelings, which, without appropriate support and understanding, can lead to distressed behaviours that manifest in a variety of ways.

Challenges faced by young people in care

There is no one, single reason why a child or young person arrives in care, but no matter what their backstory, most have experienced at least one, if not more, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or witnessing domestic violence. These experiences can leave enduring emotional, and sometimes even physical, scars, and result in long-lasting trauma that extends well into later life.

When a young person faces grave challenges during their formative years, they can end up struggling with a range of complex emotional and mental health needs, including PTSD and C-PTSD. With little or no outlet to process trauma adequately, individuals operate in survival mode, and spend much of their life in a heightened state of ‘fight, flight or freeze’, putting their nervous system under enormous stress.

Once in care, events such as placement breakdowns or strained relationships with peers or staff can further exacerbate trauma, attachment issues, and feelings of abandonment, leaving young people feeling vulnerable and dysregulated.

External behaviour as a reflection of internal dysregulation

Young people in care, who may not have experienced love or care consistently within their family setting, may sometimes have deeply ingrained attachment issues as a result. This, in turn, may manifest in behaviour that needs our support.

Of course, the extent of any damage depends on a number of factors, including their age, and the specific circumstances that led to them to be in care. However, when strong, secure attachment bonds have not formed, or have been interrupted in the early part of life, young people can find themselves caught in a cycle, where the distressing feelings they experience can lead to external behaviours that directly reflect their level of internal dysregulation.

These can include, but are not limited to:

• • Withdrawing or shutting down

• • Self-isolating or self-excluding

• • Being physically or verbally aggressive

• • Crying, screaming or shouting

• • Destroying their environment

• • Running away, or threatening to abscond

• • Sabotaging relationships with others

• • Struggling to form connections with peers and adults