{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Words: Jade Slaughter | Illustrations: Tatjana Prenzel","standfirst":"At 14 to 18 years old, Explorer Scouts are more likely than any probably other section to come up against age-related challenges. Biologically, hormones are erratic during this period, meaning many teenagers gravitate towards behaviours like emotional extremes, becoming susceptible to peer pressure, negative risk-taking, weaker impulse control and lower levels of empathy.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/3449/fears_about_the_future-2_tatjana_prenzel.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":"A illustration of a person with a flashlight","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ESocially, there\u2019s also tremendous pressure for young people this age to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives \u003Cspan\u003E\u2013\u003C/span\u003E and the kind of adults they hope to be.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn this series, we explore the type of issues young people in each section might be facing and how we can best support them. As Scouts reaches more vulnerable young people, as well as those from different cultural backgrounds, it\u2019s vital that we become aware of what could be going on in their lives.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFears about the future\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWho hasn\u2019t asked a young person the ice-breaking question, \u2018What do you want to be when you grow up?\u2019 We\u2019re all guilty of it, yet few of us know the answer to the question \u2013 even once we\u2019re grown up! It can be a really difficult topic if you\u2019re feeling lost or unsure.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to the usual pressure from school and family, today\u2019s teenagers also have to deal with pressure via social media to know what they want to do, and to be successful at it. We want to help young people avoid becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), without adding to any future-related anxiety.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EOpportunities to help:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYoung people need to know that it\u2019s okay to be unsure about their future. Some of the jobs they end up doing may not have even been thought of yet \u2013few social media managers probably thought they\u2019d end up in that career when they were at school, for example. Lots of people also change careers throughout their lives: young people need to know that they can change their mind if they realise a path isn\u2019t right for them. Give young people the space to voice their feelings, and reassure them if they\u2019re worried.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Cspan\u003Eblog on dealing with stress\u003C/span\u003E, Scout Ambassador Megan Hine says, \u2018At a time in life when the body and mind are already going through a lot of changes hormonally, it is crucial that young people are supported in finding their own path rather than feeling pressured into the path society or others believe they should take.\u2019 If someone\u2019s unsure of what they want to do, chat with them about their favourite things they\u2019ve done in the Scouts \u2013 this could give them some ideas for potential paths to take. If they\u2019re still stuck, volunteering with a younger section could help them find their passion. For example, if they discover that they love helping people to learn new skills, they might want to become a teacher or an adventure-based instructor.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMegan also recommends the outdoors as an effective stress-reliever for young people \u2013 if you know some of your Explorers are feeling the pressure, try to incorporate more outdoor activities into your programme, as well as anything particularly relaxing, such as artwork.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/3447/healthy_relationships-2_tatjana_prenzel.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":"An illustration of a man and woman","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHealthy relationships\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe average age for becoming sexually active in the UK is 16, and one third of 16 to 19 year olds claim to have had sex before the age of 16. As a youth organisation, we have a significant role to play in helping young people develop the confidence and self-esteem to make safe and informed decisions around sex and relationships.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile it might be a difficult topic for you to discuss, there may be times when our members come to you as leaders looking for advice and support.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpportunities to help:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile parents or schools are still likely to be the preferred sources of information and advice for most young people, adults in the Scouts have a trusted role and this makes them a potential source too. The factsheet below clarifies your role with regard to information about sexual health and young people, and provides guidance, support and information if you\u2019re approached by a young person.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://members.scouts.org.uk/documents/FS950000%20-%20Sexual%20Health%20-%20Update%202012-LG%20(2).pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPromoting Good Sexual Health within Scouting (FS950000)\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0(PDF)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EConsent is a very important topic when it comes to sex and relationships, and one that you can work into the fabric of your Unit. Encourage young people to check in with each other before physically touching each other, for example, if they hug hello or goodbye.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can also use My Body, My Choice, a resource that\u2019s been produced to support Explorer Scout leaders who want to address the topic of sexual health and relationships in their section meeting. It\u2019s been created with the support of Brook, the young people\u2019s sexual health charity, to respond to increasing demands from leaders and young people to support them with these activities.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://members.scouts.org.uk/documents/EcommsDocs/MyBodyMyChoice_leaders.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMy Body, My Choice: leaders\u0027 notes\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://members.scouts.org.uk/documents/EcommsDocs/MyBodyMyChoice.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMy Body, My Choice: handout for young people\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, some families may not wish these topics to be part of the local programme and so it\u2019s best to give prior warning before approaching the topic, allowing young people to opt out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen discussing relationships with young people, remember not to: discuss your own sexual history and experiences with them, ask young people about their sexual experiences, project your personal beliefs onto them, and make assumptions about young people\u2019s sexuality and experiences.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDiscussions around health relationships shouldn\u2019t be limited to sexual and/or romantic relationships. Encourage your Unit to discuss what makes a healthy friendship.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you suspect that a young person is being coerced, abused or exploited, you should advise them that you have to pass this information on. You must take this action, even in circumstances where the young person is reluctant to co-operate with this course of action or specifically asks you not to. Follow the procedures laid down in the Young People First Code of Behaviour (Yellow Card), which can be found here: scouts.org.uk/safeguarding.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/3448/mental_ill-2_tatjana_prenzel.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":"A woman sitting on the ground with her arm over her face","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMental ill health\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEveryone has mental health, and anyone can experience a mental health problem. This means that being able to talk about it is really important. You don\u2019t need to be an expert: often, just listening to someone can make a big difference.\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EResearch has shown that young people who are involved in Scouts \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/atoms/files/scouts-and-guides-have-better-mental-health-in-later-life-study-finds-10-11-2016.pdf\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Scouts and guides have better mental health in later life (The University of Edinburgh)\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ehave better mental health in later life\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E. So just by volunteering, you\u2019re making a difference to the wellbeing of young people\u00A0\u003Cspan class=\u0022Apple-converted-space\u0022\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpportunities to help:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a Scout leader, you\u2019re not responsible for diagnosing mental health problems or expected to know everything about them, but you might notice some signs that a young person in your Unit is struggling. These could include:\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing tearful or frequently upset\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAvoiding friends or social events\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENot enjoying activities they enjoyed before\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUnable to carry out normal tasks or handle daily stresses\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing restless\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing angry for prolonged periods of time\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETalking about suicide\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESelf-harming (see more information below)\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re concerned about a young person\u2019s wellbeing, try to stay calm and have a conversation with the young person, or where appropriate, their parent/carer.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo help you feel confident in having conversations with young people and/or their guardians, it might help to do some research around mental health. \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022A-Z Mental Health (Mind.org.uk)\u0022\u003EMind has an excellent A-Z here\u003C/a\u003E. If you don\u2019t know about a topic or don\u2019t know the answer to a young person\u2019s questions, be honest \u2013 it\u2019s okay to say you\u2019re unsure and will follow up.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile it\u2019s important to maintain the privacy of young people, make sure you remember your responsibilities within the Yellow Card and remain within these guidelines.\u00A0You should also encourage the young person to speak to their parents or carers, or to a GP, about how they\u2019re feeling, and could also signpost them to support in your local area. In line with our safeguarding procedures, if you\u2019re concerned that the Explorer is at risk of harm from themselves (or others), you need to pass this information on. Tell the young person that you\u2019re required to pass any concerns on, and agree with them how you\u2019ll do this. Will you speak to their guardians directly, or support the young person to do so?\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf you or the young person require additional support, the below resources are really helpful:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENSPCC\u2019s Childline: 1-to-1 chat support and 24-hour helpline for young people. Phone: 0800 1111. Website:\u00A0\u003Cspan\u003Echildline.org.uk\u003C/span\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn My Mind: Information for young people to make informed choices about their mental health and wellbeing. Website:\u00A0\u003Cspan\u003Eannafreud.org/on-my-mind\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESelf-harm\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESelf-harm is when someone hurts themselves on purpose. It\u2019s usually done because something else feels wrong, and it seems like the only way to let those feelings out.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESelf-harm is a very common behaviour in young people, with 1 in 12 young people aged 15-16 harming themselves. It\u2019s usually as a result of another problem, and can happen if someone is feeling anxious, depressed, stressed or bullied, and doesn\u2019t feel they have any other way of dealing with these issues. Self-harm brings only temporary relief and can take many forms, including: cutting or burning; deliberate bruising or punching oneself; pulling out hair or eyelashes; and scratching or picking skin.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOpportunities to help:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECommon signs can be if a young person comes in with long sleeves in summer, wears lots of plasters, or scratches a lot in areas they haven\u2019t usually scratched. They may be evasive if you ask them about different marks on their body.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEncourage the young person to talk about how they\u2019re feeling. Show concern by taking what they say seriously and acknowledging their distress and feelings. It\u2019s important to avoid being critical of their actions, judging them or jumping to conclusions, and it can help to emphasise that you don\u2019t think that they\u2019re attention seeking. Think through with them who they could talk to and what they might say.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFeeling in control is often identified as a major factor in why a young person may self-harm, and they may also use self-harm as a way of releasing tension or anger \u2013 turning difficult and painful emotional feelings into physical pain instead. Giving your Unit lots of opportunities to express themselves can be helpful. Some young people who self-harm find writing their feelings down in a letter or journal is helpful; others that energetic forms of exercise (e.g. running, dancing), ripping up papers, or punching a punch bag or cushion can help distract them from self-harming. Alternatively, more relaxing things like listening to music or practising slow breathing works for some young people. These are all great things to work into your programme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETalk to parents, and encourage them to consider talking to their GP. Self-harm can be a sign of other disorders that a young person might need help with, such as depression or anxiety, and they can refer you to the right people for treatment. A young person may also be referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), so they can have an assessment for the right treatment.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHelplines and other services are available for extra support, such as YoungMinds Crisis Messenger. This provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK if a young person is experiencing a mental health crisis. If they need urgent help, they can text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from most data providers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESelf-harm concerns should be reported to safeguarding@scouts.org.uk, so we can provide appropriate support to the young person and their family.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile it\u0027s brilliant to be aware of the issues potentially facing your young people, please note that it\u2019s not your responsibility to carry out extra work around them in addition to your usual volunteer role. If you\u2019re worried about someone in your section, it\u2019s best to contact your GSL or District Commissioner about further support the Explorer or their family can be signposted to.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"19 September 2019","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":40257,"nodeName":"Going above and beyond: Explorer Scouts","title":"Going above and beyond: Explorer Scouts","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/3449/fears_about_the_future-2_tatjana_prenzel.jpg?width=800\u0026height=800\u0026v=1d9becd30d4dd10","caption":"Fears About The Future 2 Tatjana Prenzel","type":"jpg","size":517661,"width":1000,"height":1000,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Going above and beyond: Explorer Scouts","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"If you volunteer with Explorer Scouts, read our advice for helping them through tough times.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80MDI1NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2019/september/going-above-and-beyond-explorer-scouts/"}