What's the problem? Who can help? The perspectives of children and young people on their well-being and on helping professionals

Abstract

This article reviews research evidence concerning the views of children and young people about the main problems and worries they experience and about the kinds of help they access and would like. The centrality of family and peers in both the generation and alleviation of difficulties comes across strongly. Loss, bullying and family or peer conflict are among the main issues identified by children. They appear to be much less concerned about matters that preoccupy many adults, such as drugs or abduction. Many young people are suspicious of specialist professionals who are strangers to them. Children also want to be treated as whole human beings, not simply in relation to one 'problem' or 'disorder'. Among the implications for professionals are that effective direct work requires the opportunity to establish trust over time. In many circumstances, it may be more productive to work with the people in a child or young person's social network whom they already have confidence in.