Young people leaving care face many challenges. We believe that preparation for leaving care is most effective when it is holistic in approach, attaching equal importance to supporting the development of practical, emotional and inter-personal skills. The process of leaving care should be built upon a firm foundation of positive experiences for young people.
We provide a range of flexible, targeted services to young people leaving care and in need, aged 16 plus. Services are provided to young people through outreach and through one-stop-shops to ensure accessible information and services.
Young people need help that enables them to make a gradual, seamless transition from care, or from homelessness, to independence. We aim to ensure that outcomes are transformed – in education, employment, health and accommodation – with young people benefiting from the same positive experiences, opportunities and life chances as their contemporaries.
Shaftesbury Young People is an experienced provider of statutory leaving care services (currently in Islington, Coventry and Wolverhampton) and also a provider of supported accommodation services for young people leaving care in a number of other authorities.
Helping young people in transition to
Be healthy
Young people will have full access to the community health services they need and we assist them in registering with a GP or dentist. To begin to meet emotional and mental health needs, we work closely with colleagues in CAMHS, and in health support, sharing facilities at the ‘one-stop-shops’ so that specialist counselling and health services are easily available.
We run focussed workshops on specific issues such as domestic violence, and also provide support for groups with specific interests such as young men and young mothers.
Stay safe
Ensuring the safety of young people and supporting them to keep themselves safe is at the heart of our projects. We place each young person’s need for continuity of care at the centre of the referral, needs assessment and pathway planning process.
We work with young people whether living in or out of the region. We assist them in finding suitable accommodation and provide support to ensure they are able to live independently.
Make a positive contribution
Young people often have practical ideas about the way that services can be improved and consultation groups meet regularly to feedback on what we are doing well and what we can do better. The groups provide opportunities such as developing skills in public speaking, solving problems, planning and negotiating.
Achieve economic well-being
We are keen to see more talented young people leaving care go through into higher education and be supported while they are studying. We work with young people who are not in employment or education to help them gain access to which ever is most suitable for their needs.
We provide help with CV's, applying for jobs and attending interviews and will provide ongoing support to deal with any problems as they occur.
Enjoy and Achieve
We focus on support in education – in school, college and for university to ensure that young people achieve to the very best of their ability and we celebrate all of these achievements. We encourage young people to participate in a whole range of stimulating and enjoyable activities.
For more information contact our Head Office on 020 8875 1555 or info@shaftesbury.org.uk
