Managing Difficult Conversations with Children and Young People

Difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of working with children and young people. Whether discussing risk-taking behaviours, safeguarding concerns, placement changes, family relationships, education, boundaries, or challenging decisions, professionals are often required to engage in conversations that can evoke strong emotions and significantly influence a young person’s experience of care and support.

📅 Date & Time: 16th July, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Live Online via Teams
📢 Early Bird Price: £54 (VAT included) – Register 2+ weeks before
🎟️ Standard Price: £74 (VAT included) – Group Discount available for groups of 5+

This practical and reflective seminar explores how professionals can approach difficult conversations with confidence, empathy, and professionalism. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the factors that can make conversations challenging and learn strategies for building trust, maintaining positive relationships, and supporting meaningful dialogue. The course focuses on creating opportunities for children and young people to feel heard, respected, and involved, even when discussing sensitive or complex issues.

Course Content

This course explores the foundations of effective communication with children and young people, recognising that the quality of relationships often determines the success of difficult conversations. Participants will examine the barriers that can affect communication, including anxiety, mistrust, previous experiences, emotional distress, developmental factors, and the impact of trauma. The session encourages professionals to reflect on their own communication styles and consider how their approach can influence engagement and outcomes.

The seminar examines how to prepare for and structure challenging conversations while maintaining a child-centred and relationship-based approach. Participants will explore techniques for active listening, asking effective questions, managing emotional responses, and creating safe spaces where children and young people feel able to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Particular attention will be given to maintaining curiosity, empathy, and professional boundaries during emotionally charged discussions.

The course also explores conversations relating to safeguarding, behaviour, risk-taking, family relationships, conflict, placement issues, and difficult decisions. Participants will consider how to balance honesty and transparency with sensitivity and emotional support, ensuring that communication remains respectful, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate. The importance of recognising non-verbal communication and adapting approaches to meet individual needs will also be explored.

Throughout the session, participants will reflect on practical examples and develop strategies for managing resistance, disagreement, emotional escalation, and challenging responses. The course aims to strengthen confidence in handling conversations that can often feel uncomfortable while maintaining positive and supportive relationships.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the factors that can make conversations difficult for children, young people, and professionals.
• Apply effective communication techniques that support trust, engagement, and positive relationships.
• Utilise active listening and questioning skills to encourage meaningful dialogue.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to emotional reactions during difficult conversations.
• Adapt communication approaches to meet the developmental, emotional, and individual needs of children and young people.
• Manage conversations relating to safeguarding concerns, risk-taking behaviours, conflict, and challenging decisions.
• Promote participation and ensure that children and young people’s voices are heard and valued.
• Reflect on their own communication style and identify opportunities for professional development.

Intended Audience

This course is designed for professionals working directly with children and young people across children’s social care and related services. It will be particularly relevant for Residential Childcare Practitioners, Supported Accommodation Staff, Foster Carers, Supervising Social Workers, Children’s Social Workers, Family Support Workers, Key Workers, Team Leaders, Deputy Managers, Registered Managers, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Youth Workers, and other practitioners who regularly engage in conversations that require sensitivity, confidence, and strong relationship-building skills.

Course Facilitator

Emily Grigutis is a qualified Social Worker, counsellor, and trainer with extensive experience supporting children, young people, families, and professionals across a range of care and support settings. Her work is grounded in relationship-based practice and focuses on helping professionals develop the communication skills, confidence, and understanding needed to build positive relationships and support meaningful engagement.

Alongside her social work experience, Emily has qualifications in counselling and therapeutic approaches, bringing a strong understanding of communication, emotional wellbeing, trauma, and relationship-building. Her training combines practical experience, reflective learning, and evidence-informed approaches to help professionals navigate challenging situations with empathy, professionalism, and confidence.

Emily’s engaging and supportive style encourages participants to reflect on their own practice while developing practical skills that can be immediately applied within their work with children and young people.

---