“I don’t want to be sleeping all day”

A vulnerable Jersey teenager has described how a new specialist support service helped them rediscover the things they enjoyed.

The government’s newly launched Adolescent Team aims to help young people before their problems reach crisis point – with those in their sights ranging from children who repeatedly go missing, are at risk of exploitation, suffering poor mental health or family breakdown or other complex issues.

Working alongside the Youth Service, Health, Education, the States police and other agencies, the team aims to identify concerns earlier and provide coordinated support before situations escalate.

One young person who received help over the summer said the support had helped them rediscover a sense of purpose.

“I remembered I love being up early and being out in the sea,” the child said. “I don’t want to be sleeping all day.”

Their mother, meanwhile, said “the support they received has helped more than you can imagine”.

The team focuses on building trusted relationships with young people, helping them improve their wellbeing, strengthen family relationships and reconnect with school and their communities.

Minister for Children and Families Richard Vibert said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, supported and hopeful about their future.

“By bringing services together and intervening earlier, we can identify risks sooner and provide the right support at the right time. This work is already changing lives across Jersey.”

“Behind every story is a young person with their own hopes, worries and ambitions. Our focus is on understanding what matters to them and building the trusted relationships that can help them through difficult periods in their lives,” added Director of Children, Young People and Families Services Donna Marriott.

“Success is not just measured by reducing risk. It is seeing young people become more confident, reconnect with education, strengthen family relationships and feel more positive about their future. These stories demonstrate the powerful difference that early help can make.”

Mark Capern, Associate Director of Young People’s Services, described the development as “exciting”.

“We know that targeted support delivered at the right time can make a lasting difference during adolescence,” he continued.

“Through this partnership approach, we want every young person working with the Adolescent Team to feel safe, valued and supported, with trusted adults around them who believe in their potential. By bringing together youth workers, family support workers, social workers, police officers and other specialist professionals, we can provide support that is coordinated, responsive and designed around the needs of young people. Ultimately, our goal is to help create brighter futures for young people and their families.”