What is the service?

The accommodation comprises 5 two bedroom flats each with a shared kitchen, living room and bathroom.  The service is staffed by support workers 24 hours per day with a sleepover in operation. Many of our young people are experiencing complex trauma, many of the young people have secondary issues such as self-harming behaviours, a history of alcohol and/or substance misuse, involvement in the criminal justice system, mental health difficulties, anger management issues and lack of family or social networks. They also present with low self-esteem, poor social skills, challenging behaviour and a lack of trust in others, this is consequential of their Adverse Childhood Experiences as well as the compounded rejection and instability they have experienced in their lives.

The project provides practical and emotional support that involves building positive relationships with the young people. This is a fundamental part of our support as is promoting positive role modelling. A support plan is agreed with young person to meet their needs in areas like budgeting, cooking, benefits. We can support young people in accessing training and addiction services if required.

If a young person is in crisis an important part of role can be as simple as giving a young person somewhere safe to live.

Most of our young people have an allocated social worker a move on plan will be agreed through Social work and staff will help with this through regular planning meetings. If not staff will assist service users to move onto appropriate mainstream housing or specialist services and will work with partner agencies to ensure adequate follow on support is in place.