| It's going to be uncomfortable. People don't like to admit it's there, but it's got to be flushed out. |
Young people need to feel they are being listened to and having a strong influence over their own lives, says a new director for children's services in Newcastle.
If Catherine Fitt is still in post in five years time, she hopes she's achieved that at least.
She's far more passionate however about ending violence in the home, telling Children's Express in an exclusive interview, that it had to be "flushed out". "The people who end up damaged are children and young people."
Violence in the home
"Domestic violence must be tackled", she told us. The issues must be brought to the fore and if there was one thing she personally would ensure, it was that.
It wouldn't be easy though. "It's going to be uncomfortable. People don't like to admit it's there, but it's got to be flushed out."
Bullying
Bullying was another issue of concern, but she was not so sure of the answers, saying it was "a real tough issue". "All I can you tell is that it is makes people very, very miserable and I will do everything in my power to help it be stopped".
Drugs and alcohol
Drugs and alcohol were another issue, but she accepted young people took risks. "I am a realist", she told us.
What was important was that young people managed those risks well and did not end up in a "downward spiral". She wanted people to know what they were doing before they took risks, but also to be confident enough to value and respect themselves. She believed the same about risky sexual behaviour.
Education, training, employment
Education, training and employment opportunities were important in ensuring that everyone felt confident and could be a "success" in their lives, she said.
Catherine Fitt
Catherine Fitt spoke to us at the gr8 event, organised by the Newcastle City Council Play & Youth Service, designed to find out what young people felt about the way they take part in what is provided for them.
She started her job on April 1st. The gr8 event was on April 6th. A short speech at the event was her first 'public' presentation in her job and she was pleased.
"I was very grateful everybody listened very quietly while I was talking because I was giving them a lot of information and I am really hoping that this is the start of a relationship and a conversation we can have together," she said.
Before taking on this role as "champion of young people and young people's services", Ms Fitt, who trained as a teacher, helped in setting up Connexions, Sure Start and the Youth Offending Service.
About the team
This story was produced by Phillip Clark, 16, Emma Cosford, 18, Sonia McAthey, 17 Jodie Short, 12. It was published by www.Alreet.com.
