• at the first appointment, spend some time asking ‘open’
questions about their life and hopes, before moving onto the
detailed history taking
• take time to build a relationship during the session, before tackling
subjects such as healthy eating or smoking. Young people may be
very sensitive to feeling ‘told off’ for their choices
• earn their trust by offering practical support on their problems (eg
housing) – refer them to agencies that can help (see section 8)
• show you understand their circumstances by giving realistic
advice (e.g. how to eat healthily if they don’t have access to
cooking facilities)
• if any of the grandparents are
present, include them but remain
focused on the young people.
Ensure that each young person
has the opportunity to see you
without her/his parents present
• be careful to avoid a patronising
tone or language