Role Models
- Development of a good internalised ‘other’ that the young person can return to in times of stress
- Detailed exploration of how this person would act in the kinds of situation that the YP struggles with
- Recognition that all these ideas essentially came from the YP and that they already therefore have this wisdom
In this exercise you will be asking the young person to think of a role model who is assertive and handles conflict in a healthy manner. A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be copied by the young person. They may not be able to think of anyone in their immediate family. If this is the case, they can think about teachers or keyworkers they know that have handled conflict well. It is important to make sure the young person knows that good handling of conflict does not mean being passive or giving in. It means being able to clearly state your own point of view without becoming aggressive with the other party. If they are able to see this skill being displayed by others, then they already know how to be good at resolving conflict. They just need to put this into practice by channelling their role model in times of disagreement.
