Promoting core practice in Health and Social Care (Children and Young people) Hybu ymarfer craidd mewn Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol (Plant a Phobl Ifanc)
Health and well-being - Well-being Iechyd a Llesiant - Llesiant

The Oxford English Dictionary defines wellbeing as ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy’.

Promoting well-being involves understanding and addressing child, youth and caregiver functioning in physical, behavioural, social and cognitive areas. A focus on well-being should be integrated into all aspects of child welfare services. Well-being for children and young people encompasses the whole person.

For example, an individual’s:

• health, development and safety
• emotional and psychological development
• social development and behaviour
• intellectual development and education.

Well-being is important for children and young people for a number of reasons:

• it is fundamental to their overall physical and mental health
• supports them to overcome difficulties
• gives confidence and a positive self-esteem
• helps support positive relationships with other children, young people and adults
• supports healthy growth and development
• supports positive behaviour.

The Welsh Government recognises the importance of well-being in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015:

‘We are working towards our goal of a more equal Wales, where people can reach their potential no matter what their background or circumstances. We want to improve the well-being of the people of Wales in accordance with the sustainable development principle. This means seeking to ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We champion the interests of children and aim to provide every child with the best possible start in life’. http://bit.ly/2REziPN

This is supported in the 7 Aims for Children and young people in Wales (https://bit.ly/2KmeXtQ) and in particular:

3. enjoy the best possible health and are free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation

The Welsh Government Foundation Phase has Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity as one of its outcomes.

‘Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity is at the heart of the Foundation Phase and children’s skills are developed across all Areas of Learning through participation in experiential learning activities indoors and outdoors. Children learn about themselves, their relationships with other children and adults both within and beyond the family. They are encouraged to develop their self-esteem, their personal beliefs and moral values. They develop an understanding that others have differing needs, abilities, beliefs and views.’ https://bit.ly/2QkI7LY

Diffiniad The Oxford English Dictionary o'r term Saesneg ‘well-being’ yw ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy’.

Mae hybu llesiant yn golygu deall a mynd i'r afael â gweithrediad plant, pobl ifanc a gofalwyr mewn meysydd corfforol, ymddygiadol, cymdeithasol a gwybyddol. Dylid integreiddio ffocws ar lesiant ym mhob agwedd ar wasanaethau lles i blant.

Mae llesiant i blant a phobl ifanc yn cwmpasu'r person cyfan.

Er enghraifft, yr elfennau canlynol i unigolyn:

• iechyd, datblygiad a diogelwch
• datblygiad emosiynol a seicolegol
• datblygiad cymdeithasol ac ymddygiad
• datblygiad deallusol ac addysg.

Mae llesiant yn bwysig i blant a phobl ifanc am nifer o resymau:

• mae'n hanfodol i'w hiechyd corfforol a'u hiechyd meddwl cyffredinol
• mae'n eu helpu i oresgyn anawsterau
• mae'n magu hyder a hunan-barch cadarnhaol
• mae'n helpu i gefnogi cydberthnasau cadarnhaol â phlant, pobl ifanc ac oedolion eraill
• mae'n cefnogi twf a datblygiad iach
• mae'n cefnogi ymddygiad cadarnhaol.

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd llesiant yn Neddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015:

‘Rydym yn gweithio tuag at wneud Cymru’n wlad fwy cyfartal, lle mae pobl yn gallu cyrraedd eu potensial beth bynnag fo’u cefndiroedd neu’u hamgylchiadau. Rydym eisiau gwella lles pobl Cymru yn unol â'r egwyddor datblygu cynaliadwy. Mae hyn yn golygu sicrhau bod yr anghenion presennol yn cael eu diwallu heb amharu ar allu cenedlaethau'r dyfodol i ddiwallu eu hanghenion eu hunain. Rydym yn hyrwyddo buddiannau plant a'n nod yw rhoi'r dechrau gorau posibl iddyn nhw’. http://bit.ly/2LFO0T4

Ategir hyn yn y Saith Nod ar gyfer Plant a Phobl Ifanc yng Nghymru (https://bit.ly/34VD1xb) ac, yn benodol:

3. Dylai pob plentyn fwynhau'r iechyd corfforol a meddyliol, cymdeithasol ac emosiynol gorau posibl, gan gynnwys rhyddid rhag camdriniaeth, erledigaeth a chamfanteisio.

Un o ganlyniadau Cyfnod Sylfaen Llywodraeth Cymru yw Datblygiad Personol a Chymdeithasol, Llesiant ac Amrywiaeth Diwylliannol.

‘Mae Datblygiad Personol a Chymdeithasol, Lles ac Amrywiaeth Ddiwylliannol wrth wraidd y Cyfnod Sylfaen, a chaiff sgiliau plant eu datblygu ar draws yr holl Feysydd Dysgu wrth iddynt gymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau dysgu drwy brofiadau, a gynhelir dan do ac yn yr awyr agored. Mae plant yn dysgu amdanynt eu hunain a'u perthynas â phlant eraill ac oedolion o fewn y teulu a'r tu allan iddo. Caiff plant eu hannog i ddatblygu eu hunan-barch, eu credoau personol a'u gwerthoedd moesol. Maent yn datblygu dealltwriaeth o'r ffaith bod gan bobl eraill anghenion, galluoedd, credoau a safbwyntiau gwahanol.’ (http://bit.ly/2DInZ0O)

The well-being of children and young people is affected by a variety of factors that may be social, economic, cultural or physical. Some examples include:

Adverse Childhood Experiences. These can include abuse, neglect, being brought up in a household where there is domestic violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and parental separation.

‘Evidence shows children who experience stressful and poor quality childhoods are more likely to develop health-harming and anti-social behaviours, more likely to perform poorly in school, more likely to be involved in crime and ultimately less likely to be a productive member of society.' NHS Wales (https://bit.ly/2yL6KKy)

Home background. A supportive and caring background provides the foundations for positive social development and provides positive role models. Mental illness, substance abuse, unemployment, violence and poverty may have a negative impact. Drug and alcohol abuse may lead to children being physically and emotionally neglected.

Children and young people who are looked after. These children and young people may lack consistency in care, come from abusive backgrounds and move between homes resulting in poor educational achievement. Children and young people who experience changes in family members and carers they live with are twice as likely to have low well-being as those living in stable environments.

Positive, consistent and caring relationships. These support social development and confidence and positive role models. Children who move home frequently or have changes in family members or carers have a lower level of well-being than those with consistent relationships.

Secure attachment. Where a child has secure attachments, they are self-confident and will participate readily in activities.

Social deprivation. Where a child or young person does not have opportunities to meet or mix with others they will experience social deprivation and become isolated, affecting their well-being.

Environment. A stimulating, safe, caring and supportive environment supports a child’s development and positive outcomes. An environment that encourages exercise (e.g. cycling, walking) with available sports facilities supports well-being. High quality water supplies, lack of pollution and chemical hazards, and good housing support health and well-being. Children and young people living in cramped conditions or sharing bedrooms and lacking privacy experience a lower level of well-being.

Educational experiences. Good educational experiences support children and young people’s confidence, knowledge and well-being. Consistent education without moves between schools supports well-being and academic achievement.

Economic factors. Where a child grows up in poverty and has limited opportunities, poor diet or suffers from neglect there is an impact on their well-being and health.

Disabilities and physical ill-health. Disabilities and ill-health may impact on a child or young person’s ability to exercise and socialise, and they may become isolated.

Sensory needs. Sensory difficulties may result in social isolation or communication difficulties.

Diet. A healthy diet supports good health, healthy weight and well-being.

Exercise. A child or young person who does not have the opportunity to exercise may become unfit and overweight and this will impact on their self-esteem as well as their health.

Religion and culture. A child or young person’s values, behaviour and expectations may be defined by their religion and culture.

Stress. Chronic stress can hinder brain development and a child’s ability to learn.

Play. Play has a positive impact on children and young people’s well-being and healthy development. Play has an important role in developing a healthy lifestyle, resilience, social development and health and well-being are supported by the availability of play spaces in environments. Children who do not have access to an outdoor space or garden are more likely to experience low well-being.

Mae amrywiaeth o ffactorau'n effeithio ar lesiant plant a phobl ifanc, gan gynnwys rhai cymdeithasol, economaidd, diwylliannol a chorfforol. Ymhlith yr enghreifftiau mae:

Profiadau Niweidiol yn ystod Plentyndod. Gall y rhain gynnwys cam-drin, esgeulustod, magwraeth mewn cartref lle mae cam-drin domestig, camddefnyddio cyffuriau, camddefnyddio alcohol a rhieni'n gwahanu.

'Dengys tystiolaeth fod plant sy'n cael plentyndod gwael sy'n llawn straen yn fwy tebygol o ddatblygu ymddygiad sy'n niweidiol i iechyd ac ymddygiad gwrthgymdeithasol, yn fwy tebygol o wneud yn wael yn yr ysgol, yn fwy tebygol o ymwneud â throseddu ac, yn y pen draw, yn llai tebygol o fod yn aelod cynhyrchiol o gymdeithas.' GIG Cymru: cyfieithiad o https://bit.ly/2QuWuO7

Cefndir cartref. Mae cefndir cefnogol a gofalgar yn gosod y sylfeini ar gyfer datblygiad cymdeithasol cadarnhaol ac yn darparu modelau rôl cadarnhaol. Gall salwch meddwl, camddefnyddio sylweddau, diweithdra, trais a thlodi gael effaith negyddol ar lesiant. Gall camddefnyddio cyffuriau ac alcohol arwain at esgeulustod corfforol ac emosiynol.

Plant a phobl ifanc sy'n derbyn gofal. Mae'n bosib fod y plant a’r bobl ifanc hyn wedi dod o gefndiroedd â diffyg cysondeb o ran gofal, cefndiroedd lle ceir cam-drin ac wedi symud tai llawer o weithiau. Gall y ffactorau hyn arwain at gyflawniadau addysgol gwael. Mae plant a phobl ifanc sy’n profi newidiadau o ran aelodau’r teulu a gofalwyr maent yn byw â nhw ddwywaith yn fwy tebygol o gael llesiant isel o gymharu â’r rheini sy’n byw mewn amgylcheddau sefydlog.

Perthnasoedd cadarnhaol, cyson a gofalgar. Mae'r rhain yn cefnogi datblygiad a hyder cymdeithasol a modelau rôl cadarnhaol. Mae gan blant sy'n symud tŷ yn aml neu sy'n wynebu newidiadau o ran aelodau'r teulu neu ofalwyr lefel is o lesiant na'r rhai sydd â pherthnasoedd cyson.

Ymlyniad sicr. Os oes gan blentyn ymlyniadau sicr, mae'n hunanhyderus a bydd yn cymryd rhan yn rhwydd mewn gweithgareddau.

Amddifadedd cymdeithasol. Os na fydd plentyn neu berson ifanc yn cael cyfleoedd i gwrdd a chymysgu â phobl eraill, bydd yn profi amddifadedd cymdeithasol ac yn mynd yn ynysig, a fydd yn effeithio ar eu llesiant.

Amgylchedd. Mae amgylchedd ysgogol, diogel, gofalgar a chefnogol yn cefnogi datblygiad a chanlyniadau cadarnhaol. Mae amgylchedd sy'n annog ymarfer corff (e.e. beicio, cerdded) lle mae cyfleusterau chwaraeon ar gael yn cefnogi llesiant. Mae cyflenwad dŵr o ansawdd da, diffyg llygredd a pheryglon cemegol a chymorth da o ran tai yn cefnogi iechyd a llesiant. Mae plant a phobl ifanc sy'n byw mewn amodau cyfyng neu sy'n rhannu ystafelloedd gwely a heb breifatrwydd yn profi lefel is o lesiant.

Profiadau addysgol. Mae profiadau addysgol da yn cefnogi hyder, gwybodaeth a llesiant plant a phobl ifanc. Mae addysg gyson heb lawer o symud rhwng ysgolion yn cefnogi llesiant a chyflawniad academaidd.

Ffactorau economaidd. Os bydd plentyn yn cael eu magu mewn tlodi, yn cael cyfleoedd cyfyngedig, yn dilyn deiet gwael neu'n dioddef o esgeulustod, bydd hyn yn effeithio ar ei lesiant a'i iechyd.

Anableddau a salwch corfforol. Gall anableddau a salwch effeithio ar allu plentyn neu berson ifanc i wneud ymarfer corff a chymdeithasu, a gall fynd yn ynysig.

Anghenion synhwyraidd. Gall anawsterau synhwyraidd arwain at ynysu cymdeithasol neu anawsterau cyfathrebu.

Deiet. Mae deiet iach yn cefnogi iechyd da, pwysau iach a llesiant.

Ymarfer corff. Gall plentyn neu berson ifanc nad yw'n cael cyfle i wneud ymarfer corff fynd yn anffit a thros bwysau, a bydd hyn yn effeithio ar ei hunan-barch yn ogystal â'i iechyd.

Crefydd a diwylliant. Gellir diffinio gwerthoedd, ymddygiad a disgwyliadau plentyn neu berson ifanc yn ôl ei grefydd a'i ddiwylliant.

Straen. Gall straen cronig lesteirio datblygiad yr ymennydd a'r gallu i ddysgu neu ganolbwyntio.

Chwarae. Mae chwarae yn cael effaith cadarnhaol ar lesiant a datblygiad iach plant a phobl ifanc. Mae gan chwarae rôl bwysig er mwyn datblygu ffordd o fyw iach, gwydnwch a datblygiad cymdeithasol. Mae iechyd a llesiant yn cael eu cefnogi gan argaeledd ardaloedd chwarae mewn amgylcheddau. Gall plant sydd heb fynediad at ardal tu allan neu ardd fod yn fwy tebygol o brofi llesiant isel.

The childcare worker can support the well-being of children and young people in a number of ways:

• Talking to children and young people openly without any background distractions.
• Encouraging children and young people to spend time with family and friends.
• Talking about beliefs, religion, culture and family background. Discussing different views and backgrounds.
• Activities in school, nursery or another setting that encourage respect for diversity.
• Encouraging children and young people to talk about their feelings, challenges they face and concerns openly.
• Encouraging children and young people to make choices, decisions and solve problems and discuss these with you.
• Supporting children and young people to follow a routine. Routines give a structure that helps children and young people feel in control.
• Giving praise and encouragement not just for succeeding but also for trying to do things. Focus on strengths rather than weaknesses.
• Setting age appropriate goals and challenges to achieve new skills.
• Encouraging children and young people to resolve conflicts, negotiate and resolve problems independently.
• Being a positive role model, i.e. being supportive to others and treating others equally and with respect.
• Encouraging independence and responsibility. For example, younger children tidying up, young people taking responsibility for homework and financial independence.
• Encouraging sharing, turn taking and good manners in a way appropriate to different ages of children and young people.
• Ensuring a child or young person experiences a range of activities and play experiences in different environments, including encouraging physical activity.
• Encouraging children and young people to mix with others, both in and out of nursery and school, e.g. at social events, sports clubs, uniformed organisations or community events.
• Ensuring regular sleep patterns.
• Encouraging healthy eating and hydration.
• Ensuring good health by keeping up to date with vaccinations, visits to health clinic, doctor, hospital appointments and dentist appointments.
• Supporting appropriate risk-taking and challenges.
• Discussing personal safety, including e-safety, encouraging positive and safe use of social media.
• Respecting a child or young person’s privacy and dignity and showing respect to them.
• Where there are concerns about a child or young person’s well-being, refer to services, e.g. GP, health visitor, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Gall y gweithiwr gofal plant gefnogi llesiant plant a phobl ifanc mewn nifer o ffyrdd:

• Siarad â phlant a phobl ifanc yn agored heb unrhyw bethau sy'n tynnu sylw yn y cefndir.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i dreulio amser gyda theulu a ffrindiau.
• Siarad am gredoau, crefydd, diwylliant a chefndir teuluol. Trafod gwahanol safbwyntiau a chefndiroedd.
• Gweithgareddau yn yr ysgol, meithrinfa neu leoliad arall sy’n annog parch am amrywiaeth.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i siarad yn agored am eu teimladau, yr heriau y maent yn eu hwynebu a'u pryderon.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i wneud dewisiadau a phenderfyniadau a datrys problemau, a thrafod y rhain â chi.
• Cefnogi plant a phobl ifanc i ddilyn trefn reolaidd. Mae trefn reolaidd yn rhoi strwythur sy'n helpu plant a phobl ifanc i deimlo bod ganddynt reolaeth.
• Canmol ac annog, nid dim ond am lwyddo ond hefyd am geisio gwneud pethau. Canolbwyntio ar gryfderau yn hytrach na gwendidau.
• Gosod nodau a heriau realistig a phriodol o ran oedran er mwyn meithrin sgiliau newydd.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i ddatrys gwrthdaro, cyd-drafod a datrys problemau yn annibynnol.
• Bod yn fodel rôl gadarnhaol, h.y. bod yn gefnogol tuag at bobl eraill, eu trin yn gyfartal a'u trin â pharch.
• Annog annibyniaeth a chyfrifoldeb. Er enghraifft, plant ifanc yn tacluso, pobl ifanc yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb dros eu gwaith cartref ac annibyniaeth ariannol.
• Annog rhannu, cymryd tro a moesau da mewn ffordd sy’n addas i oedrannau gwahanol o blant a phobl ifanc.
• Sicrhau bod plentyn neu berson ifanc yn profi amrywiaeth o weithgareddau a phrofiadau chwarae mewn gwahanol amgylcheddau, gan gynnwys annog weithgarwch corfforol.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i gymysgu ag eraill yn yr ysgol neu feithrinfa a'r tu allan iddynt, e.e. mewn digwyddiadau cymdeithasol, clybiau chwaraeon, sefydliadau ffurfiol neu ddigwyddiadau yn y gymuned.
• Sicrhau patrymau cwsg rheolaidd.
• Annog plant a phobl ifanc i fwyta'n iach a hydradu.
• Sicrhau iechyd da drwy sicrhau bod plant a phobl ifanc yn cael brechiadau ar yr adegau cywir, yn ymweld â’r clinig iechyd, yn mynd at y meddyg pan fo angen ac yn cadw at apwyntiadau ysbyty ac apwyntiadau â'r deintydd.
• Cefnogi heriau a chymryd risg priodol.
• Trafod diogelwch personol, gan gynnwys e-ddiogelwch, gan annog defnydd cadarnhaol a diogel o'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol.
• Parchu preifatrwydd ac urddas plentyn neu berson ifanc.
• Os oes yna bryderon ynglŷn â llesiant unigolyn, ei atgyfeirio at wasanaethau, e.e. meddyg teulu, ymwelydd iechyd, gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed (CAMHS).