Lighthouse

A child centred reflective resource designed to help children and young people explore the people, places, strengths and experiences that can support them through difficult moments.

My Lighthouse uses the idea of a journey at sea to create opportunities for children and young people to think about what is happening around them, what already helps and where additional support might be needed.

Rather than focusing only on what is difficult, the resource creates space to recognise existing strengths, relationships and sources of support while keeping the child or young person’s perspective at the centre.

The resource includes:

• Guiding lights and the people who help
• Calm waters and the places or experiences that feel safe and settled
• Tools for stormy days and what can help when things feel difficult
• Waves and the challenges they may be facing
• What keeps them going during difficult times
• Anchors and the sources of stability and support they can return to

Using the resource

Children and young people can draw, write or talk about the different parts of their lighthouse journey, allowing the resource to be adapted to their age, communication style and what feels important to them.

My Lighthouse can support direct work, relationship building, reflection and meaningful conversations across social care, education, family support, counselling, foster care and other settings.

Professional guidance

My Lighthouse is designed to support exploration and conversation rather than function as a diagnostic or standalone assessment tool. Children and young people should be able to decide what they want to explore and how they want to express it, with professional judgement guiding how the resource is introduced and used.

Sometimes navigating the storm begins with recognising the lights, anchors and strengths that are already there.