Policy context

All children and young persons are entitled to be loved and to feel secure and nurtured within positive and wholesome relationships. When young individuals receive support from such safe and positive relationships, they are more likely to maintain good mental health, exhibit resilience, be able to learn and sustain healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Between the ages of 12 and 17, young people undergo a multitude of physical, cognitive, and emotional transformations inherent to adolescence. Establishing positive relationships with family, friends, and other adults becomes vital during this phase to offer the necessary support.

Research suggests that positive relationships with non-parental adults support young people’s wellbeing by providing them with a sense of value, purpose, identity and attachment to their community.¹ Conversely, negative relationships or experiences (such as discrimination, being treated unfairly or badly) with other adults can foster a sense of worthlessness, powerlessness and negative self-concept.²