A recent poll by Barnardo's found that 25 per cent of adults think that children who are disruptive or anti-social are beyond long-term help by the time they are just 13. We think that is absurd.
At the end of June Barnardo's launched a campaign and report, 'Believe in Children', to demonstrate that even the most 'difficult' children can be helped. With enough determination, expertise, tolerance and compassion, their lives can be fundamentally changed.
Our adverts featured troubled youngsters who had alienated everyone in their young lives. But they reflect our experience, which is that sticking with children and ultimately believing in children can turn their lives around, and also those of their families.
We're not naive - some children's behaviour is unacceptable and it has to be challenged. But we must not use that as an excuse to write off a whole generation. Many of the children we work with are difficult, often unpleasant, frequently unco-operative, but we believe they are redeemable.
Believing in children is not a soft option. It can be a long-term and difficult challenge. But the alternative is to dismiss an underclass of children who are left with nothing to lose and who face nothing more than permanent unemployment, non-achievement and, almost inevitably, a life of crime.
We want to support these children, stand up for them and attempt to bring out the best in each and every child.
To show that you believe in children, visit our website: www.barnardos.org.uk/believe.