Adolescents in Care

Youth Development
One of the most successful applications of the ProMICAD System has been in the field of Youth Development. The program can be used with young people of all levels of ability and education for stimulating a positive dialogue with caseworkers aimed at opening up a whole new world of opportunity the young person can relate to.

Overcoming negative attitudes
ProMICAD has been effective in overcoming the negative attitudes that lower the confidence and outlook of disaffected adolescents and young offenders in care. It does this by reinforcing self-esteem and bringing about new motivation. Caseworkers with young people considered to be difficult cases have described ProMICAD as a 'breakthrough'. For many youngsters, their profiles were the first positive statements they had ever seen written about themselves. The resulting improvement in self esteem, behaviour and motivation was quite startling. One youth, seeing his personal profile for the first time, said "That's how my life could be." Another said, "It's good . . . it shows me who I am."

Personal Profile
A youth development centre in Teddington, using the system on a daily basis, has developed a methodology, tailoring the use of ProMICAD according to the needs and abilities of the individual. The personal profile compiled by each young person is ultimately included in official records of achievement. Copies are also sent to parents, encouraging a positive view of the young person by the whole family. For those who are required to attend court proceedings, the profiles are also used by Youth Justice teams and magistrates to assist in the decision making process.

Some hints on getting the best from ProMICAD for workers with adolescents

1. Use ProMICAD to establish positive dialogue with clients in minutes

2. Offer use of ProMICAD to clients at the first meeting if possible

3. React positively to statements appearing on the screen. Voice your approval frequently to statements that can be accepted by the user

4. At all times avoid making cynical or sarcastic comments in response to positive statements appearing on the screen

5. Encourage clients to talk freely about statements on the screen

6. Discuss reasons for the client rejecting a statement. Often a person will will reject a statement as inaccurate while, at the same time, admitting that he or she would like to have that quality. This is na positive sign. Build on it.

7. Encourage the client to accept what is true and to avoid false modesty. At the same time, however, do not allow clients to 'own' statements that cannot be supported at interviews for example.

8. Relate the clients past work experience or interests to statements on the Profile, if possible

9. If the first Profile was made using the colours version, suggest making another using the black and white 'shapes' version.

10. Ask the user to compare the first and second attempts and to judge which is the more accurate

11. If circumstances permit, it can benefit a friend or family member - especially one who is unemployed - to come with a client to use ProMICAD too!