Youth Worker Mock Interview
Practice 30 Youth Worker interview questions covering safeguarding, engagement strategies, and conflict resolution.
Question 23 of 30
How would you respond if a child became physically aggressive with you?
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
As a Youth Worker, you are responsible for children and youth, many of whom lack guidance when it comes to appropriate emotional responses. The interviewer wants to feel confident that you will maintain a calm environment whenever possible, and that you can handle altercations with care and compassion.
If you have worked with high-risk youth in the past, show that you understand the importance of being on guard in case aggressive behavior occurs. If you can, provide a story-based example from the past. Choose an example that highlights your ability to manage physical aggression.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"When I worked at an education-based agency without proper training, nor prior experience working with kids from violent backgrounds, a 9-year-old boy picked up a chair and threw it at me. I ended up with injuries to my face and hands. He then jumped from desk to desk, ripping down all the kids' artwork from the walls. With no help around, I realized it was important to remember mental health issues were at issue here, and I needed to show compassion, despite how scary the situation was. So, I ignored his behavior, I hit play on the stereo and started to play some classical music, grabbed a book from the teachers' desk and started to read it out loud. Remarkably, the music and the book calmed him down. By the time the teacher returned, the boy was sitting on the floor with a smile on his face, intently listening. When I finished the book, this boy stood up, grabbed my hand, and asked if we could play outside."
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"I have training and experience, and today handle aggression much differently than when I started out. I have learned to see and assess a situation and try to catch clues before a situation escalates. I feel comfortable handling such situations now, and my education has prepared me well. However, there is always more to learn, and I'll always seek more training and experience, and am looking forward to learning hands-on in a healthy work environment. I also make sure that I know the policies and safety procedures of my place of work as clearly as I can."
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Anonymous Answer
I will act quickly and calmly speak and explain to him to protect me and protect him from doing harm.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's important to protect the student, yourself, and the other students. This is a good point. I have reworded for clarity.
"If a child became physically aggressive with me, I would act quickly, remove them from the presence of other children, and try to calm them down by speaking evenly and with authority. I must defuse any situation so that the child, other children, and myself are not harmed."
Anonymous Answer
I would first try to establish any hints that the situation would turn aggressive before it does, but in the case that the child does become aggressive, I would initially do my best to maintain distance between the child and myself, and depending on how well I know the child, I would recommend changing tasks to something more enjoyable for them. For example, if I knew this specific child enjoyed a certain song or movie, I would put that song or movie on, to try and discourage them from becoming aggressive and calm them down. I would also try to understand the cause of the aggression. I would ask myself whether I said something that triggered them or perhaps the task we are doing is what is making them aggressive. If I can pinpoint the cause, I might be able to rectify the situation much more quickly.
Stephanie's Feedback
Excellent response! It's evident that you're well prepared to handle crisis situations and you have a clear understanding of de-escalation.
Anonymous Answer
I would use de-escalation techniques as well as my PACE training to help combat this scenario. I have a lot of experience in situations where a child has become physically aggressive with me or my colleagues and that the appropriate action has been taken. I'd try to move away from the young person, evading physical harm, but maintain verbal communication with my PACE training to start to de-escalate the behavior.
Marcie's Feedback
Great! Can you provide an example of one of those times when you successfully managed a physically aggressive child? This will make your answer even more memorable to the interviewer.
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