How should RCYCPs handle power struggles with youth?

Maintaining professional boundaries and utilizing de-escalation techniques is crucial for RCYCPs when dealing with power struggles with youth. Effective de-escalation techniques involve staying calm, attentive, and validating the youth's feelings, which helps to diffuse tension while ensuring that the situation is handled in a constructive manner. This approach minimizes the potential for conflict escalation and fosters a safe environment for both the youth and the professional.

By upholding professional boundaries, RCYCPs can maintain their role as supportive figures rather than becoming adversaries. This balance is essential in promoting a relationship based on trust and respect while also guiding the youth toward appropriate behavior and resolution of conflicts. Such practices are fundamental to the philosophy of child and youth care, which emphasizes supportive relationships and positive role modeling in challenging situations.