Most of us, when joining this profession of child and youth care, probably served time in the "deep end". Our first day in a student placement or in a new job inevitably had us "on the floor" — in the life-space of a group of real-live youth. And because (a) these were by definition anxious or difficult kids, (b) this was an ordinary day, and (c) we were newcomers in their territory, we were no doubt put to the test. Some real or staged arguments broke out, some hair-raising ideas were flown past us, some oblique or directly subversive challenges were thrust our way. And we survived this total immersion with our own brand of doggy paddle.

We went to tea at the end of this baptismal shift feeling both stimulated and relieved. We had needed to be on our toes, we had checked out both our cerebral and visceral armouries once or twice, and we drank our tea with rather more new questions than new answers.

How many months or years have passed since that first dunking? Do we still get that thrill when we walk in on a shift or an interview or an activity group? No? The experience of others suggests that there may be two reasons for our lessened awe and apprehensiveness.

1. We are more mature — we know more, we know what to expect, we are better at sizing up situations, we have learned more skills ... or
2. We have become blasé and laid-back in working with troubled kids — hearts and arteries have hardened and nerve-endings are down on voltage.

Check out whether you are perhaps on reason #2. You will know.  If so, you’re the loser in the exhilarating kick of being in the deep end. And if you are indeed down on anticipation and alertness and curiosity and ready empathy, the kids are the losers in authentic child and youth care.