Once we know this, we can work out where the biggest gaps are now and what we, as a community, should concentrate on improving first. Strengthening relationships Relationships are important to all people. For children and young people, relationships with their parents or carers, other family members and their friends can make the most difference to their health and happiness. Supporting these important relationships helps kids. For example, it helps kids if the community supports families.
Support can come in lots of different shapes.
It means things like taxes going towards lower child care fees, or parents getting home visits from a special nurse when they have a new baby, or having a friend who will listen and help. Encouraging effective advocacy 'Advocacy' means supporting someone to have their say, have their rights taken seriously and their needs met. A good advocate needs to have the skills to work with children and to know ways of helping that will make a positive difference. They also need to be someone who a child or a young person can trust. Parents often advocate or stand up for their kids and kids usually trust them for help.