Try to: – Sit still, about one to two metres from the young person – Face the young person when you are talking – Speak at your natural speed and rhythm – Check that the young person understands what you are saying (nodding doesn’t necessarily mean they are comprehending or agreeing) – Rephrase questions if the young person needs clarification – Ask if you don’t understand what the young person is saying – Keep any beard or moustache hair neat and trimmed, so it doesn’t cover your mouth (157) Try not to: – Cover your mouth or face while you are talking – Eat or chew while you are talking – Pretend to understand what they are saying – Talk when their head is turned away (be aware, however, that they may not look directly at you while communicating) Support a Deaf signing young person In a crisis, encourage the young person to text ‘DEAF’ to 85258 for free and immediate support from SHOUT. PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide charity who run a 24/7 Hopeline service, can be accessed through the InterpretersLive! service. Sit and support them while they contact a helpline. If you are not a BSL user (working with an interpreter) Organise the services of an interpreter ahead of time, with the young person’s permission. Check whether their preference is BSL or SSE. Only qualified interpreters should be booked for a
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