Page 38 - Meeting with Children Manual

Section 4 P a ge | 36

PHASE TWO: THE CHILD MEETINGS

What is happening in this section
 A Two Meeting Approach

 Selection of Activities for Child Meeting
 Child and Youth Readiness Scale

 Child and Youth Concerns Scale

OVERVIEW FOR MEETING WITH CHILDREN

PREPARING FOR MEETING WITH CHILDREN

We recommend that the child consultant meet one time with each parent prior to
meeting the child(ren). This provides the Consultant with some context re: what they
observe and hear from the child. Each parent can provide their concerns and let the
Consultant know what the child(ren) are interested in and a little about the child’s
temperament, personality style, strengths and challenges. During the individual
meeting with each parent the child consultant can go over a Consent Form that should
clearly outline the scope and limitations of the role of the child consultant. Who will
pay for the meetings and how will payment be made should be established in advance
to avoid arguments over payment (could be part of your child consultant Agreement).

Confidentiality
The issue of Confidentiality must be discussed with the parents in advance of seeing
the children. Children will have input as to what they would like the child consultant
to tell their parents (risk and disclosures of abuse are obvious exceptions). The parents
should be introduced the language of “private but not secret”. Before meeting with a
child, you will go over what you will tell the children about confidentiality with the
parents. Parents are then prepared when you tell their child about privacy vs. secrecy
at the very beginning of their first meeting. You will ensure that the parents know not
to ask their children questions about their time with you and to allow children to say
what they would like to say (if anything) to their parents after your meetings.

Purpose of Meeting
Let the parents know you will be looking for how their children are doing (going), how
they view their family now that they have two houses, and what are their main
concerns? Concerns can include such things as relationships in family, concerns about
peers or school, concerns about pets or extracurricular activities. Introduce the parent
to the language of concerns so that when they get feedback they are already working

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