Respecting Social Boundaries Teen – Item 794

Respecting Social Boundaries – Helping teenagers (could also be used with upper KS2) to understand social boundaries can support them to navigate friendships, relationships and everyday interactions with greater awareness and respect.

This practical ELSA resource encourages young people to think about how boundaries can be different for different people and that social situations aren’t always simply right or wrong.

The main activity uses a three-way sorting activity where young people consider different social situations and decide whether they are:

🟢 OK
🟠 COULD BE OK
🔴 NO

The scenarios cover areas such as personal space, privacy, belongings, communication, friendships and respecting another person’s choices. The “Could Be OK” category encourages discussion about context and helps young people recognise that the same behaviour may feel different depending on the situation and the people involved.

The resource also includes a teen-friendly lesson plan with a welcome and check-in, main sorting activity and reflection.

The resource is designed to be neuroaffirming, recognising that people communicate and experience social situations differently. It does not rely on expectations such as eye contact or particular facial expressions as measures of listening, interest or respect.

Includes:

• Social Boundaries sorting activity
• OK / Could Be OK / NO sorting headings
• A range of teen-relevant scenario cards (45 cards in total)
• ELSA session plan

A useful resource for ELSAs supporting teenagers with social awareness, personal boundaries, respectful relationships and navigating social situations.