Understand the young person.
Listen to their interests, communication preferences and hopes for the relationship. Their view should help inform the match.
Consider the adult’s readiness.
Experience and enthusiasm matter alongside boundaries, consistency and the ability to listen. Suitability needs proper assessment.
Review the relationship.
A match is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Check how the young person experiences the sessions and whether the arrangement is supporting the agreed purpose.
From the ECNM journal
This reading edition adapts our published work. Explore the original article below.