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•My Life My Way! Toolkit comprises of:
•Tool kit 1
•All about me
This enables the child to draw and express ‘their family’, their favourite things’ and support wanted. This is
more suitable for younger children
•Toolkit 2
•What I want my worker to do for me
An A4 sheet that the child/young person can use to outline key behaviours/tasks expected from the worker
•Toolkit 3
•What about me?
Exploring life at home, school, with friends and favourite things
•Toolkit 4
•Three houses
This activity sheet is a technique that helps the child/young person think about and discuss risks (sad house),
strengths (happy house) and areas to be improved/changed (house of wishes)
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•My Journey continued.........
•Toolkit 5
•3 Islands / boats
Helps gain insight into a child’s life without having to rely on questions and answer interviews.
•Toolkit 6
•More about me
This is an opportunity to reflect and gain insight on those wishes that the child/young person has previously
identified using emotive expressions, stickers , and sharing what further needs to happen.
•Toolkit 7
•My Journey
Like toolkit 6 this allows the worker to gain from the child/young person what changes and improvements
have been made since the last visit, what difference it has made and what else the worker needs to do or
speak to for further help
•Toolkit 8
•Where can I go for support
This can be added to every pack to remind the child/young person of who else they can talk to or where they
can go for support
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Good Practice Guidance for Managers
and Staff:
Gaining the views and wishes of children and young people to
improve their quality of life
My life, My Way is a comprehensive toolkit that can be used
with children and young people to gain an insight into their views,
wishes and feelings and hopes for the future.
It can be used in a multitude of situations with young people:
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Where urgent action has to be taken to protect them;
Those subject to further assessment and child protection enquires;
Those who become the subject of multi agency child protection plans;
Any plan that sets out the help that will be provided to them and their families;
To help children and young people stay safe;
Statutory visits
Edge of Care services
Early Help and Prevention
It has been designed with Northamptonshire Children in Care Forum and the
Northamptonshire County Council’s Children’s Rights Service.
Toolkit 1
All About Me!
A Picture of Me:
Date:..........................................
My Name is:
......................................................
I like to be called:
.....................................................
My date of birth is:
......................................................
My Worker is:
......................................................
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Toolkit 1
Circles of support:
People Who are Important to Me:
Toolkit 1
This is a Picture of my Favourite
Things
This is a photo of something
that makes me happy
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Toolkit 1
How I Feel?
Already
understand
Relaxed
Happy
Listened to
Scared
Included
Shy
Worried
Confused
Angry
Stressed
Not bothered
Guilty
Invisible
Supported
Toolkit 2
What I would like my
Worker to do for me!
Agreeing Expectations between the Worker and the Child:
Child:......................................................................................................................................
Worker:................................................................................................................................
Date:.......................................................................................................................................
What I would like my Worker to do for me: Use a sticker when its done!
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
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Toolkit 3
All About Me?
Date:...................................................................
My Name is:
..................................................................................................
I like to be called:
.........................................................................................................................
My date of birth is:
...................................................................................
My Worker is:
......................................................
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Toolkit 3
At Home...
A good day is
A bad day is
When I’m
worried...
When I’m worried I
like to speak to
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Toolkit 3
My Routine
When I get up
During the day
At night time
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Toolkit 3
What about me at School!
I like it when:
I don't like it when:
My Friends...
These are my friends...
I like to...
Watch TV
Visit friends and family
Go swimming
Play on the computer
Play sports
Dance
Go to the park
Fishing
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Toolkit 3
People who are important to me:
1/........................................
2/........................................
3/........................................
4/........................................
5/........................................
Toolkit 3
What are your Hopes?
What are you good at?
What do you like doing best?
How do you like to communicate?
Toolkit 3
These are the Key things I want you to
focus on:
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Toolkit 4
My Happy House:
My Sad House:
Use words and pictures:
Toolkit 4
House of wishes:
Use words and pictures:
Toolkit 4
What would I like my worker to do
for me?
What I would like my Worker to do for me: Use a sticker when its done!
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
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Toolkit 5
Your Worker will explain this
exercise:
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Toolkit 5
Your Worker will explain this
exercise:
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Toolkit 6
More about me
A Picture of Me:
Date:..........................................
My Name is:
......................................................
My Worker is:
......................................................
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Toolkit 6
Wishes:
What has happened since
our last visit?
No change
My Wishes have
started
My Wish happens
sometimes
My Wish happens
all the time
How does it make you feel?
Use words and pictures:
Toolkit 6
What do you want me to do next?
Who do you want me to speak to?
What I would like my Worker to do for me: Use a sticker when its done!
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
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Toolkit 7
My Journey
Date:...................................................................
My Name is:
..................................................................................................
I like to be called:
.........................................................................................................................
My Worker is:
......................................................
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Toolkit 7
What has happened since our last visit?
What needs to change?
What's making you happy and sad?
Who does the worker need to speak to?
Where can I go for support?
Toolkit 8
Who else can I talk to?
Telephone:
Website:
My Workers name is
..............................................................................................
I can ring them on.......................................................
Good Practice Guidance for Managers
and Staff: final thoughts:
Views and wishes will need to be analysed and inform the initial/core
assessment, child protection plan and social worker report presented to
conferences and future reviews.
The pack of information available for the worker and the child/family is adaptable and
more tools can be added. It is not prescriptive that every tool is used all the time, the
worker can use their discretion on what is appropriate and relevant for the child/young
person to use at particular points on the Childs journey.
For example, a Social Worker may want to use this, with other agencies, as part of the core
groups and strategy discussions.
The main purpose of the tools are;
• To help staff build up positive relationships with the child;
• To gain a sense of understanding about the child's feelings, want changes they want to
take place and generally what its like being that child/young person;
• To reflect with the child/young persons progress that has been made, what changes and
improvements have happened and what else still needs to happen;
• To help the child/young person to understand the journey and contribute to key
processes that affect their lives.
Based on a tool designed by Staffordshire County Council
Children's Rights Service
Northamptonshire County Council
Children’s Rights Service
Northamptonshire County Council
County Hall
Northampton
NN1 1ED
01604 368051
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk
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