Young People aged 16/17

Our young people’s home is aimed at young people between the ages of 16-18 regardless of their gender, ethnicity, cultural and religious background. Our package of services will be bespoke to their individual needs taking into consideration their risk assessment and pathway plan. We provide short and long-term placements with the option of continuing the placement beyond 18 years of age (This option is within our unit which provides ongoing accommodation and support for 18-25 leaving care children).

The young people in our units can be;

Step-Down young people-providing the relevant support/life skills training for their transition into adulthood so they can live independently.
Emergency placements- i.e following breakdown of young people current placement, following S47 involvement from LA’s, USAC, PACE Bed and trafficked child.
Young people needing accommodation under S20 or under Southwalk Judgement.
Young people who are at risk of exploitation and need moving for their own safety and wellbeing.
Young people who have behavioural problems, low level concerns around their mental health, substance misuse, self-harm and violent or disruptive behaviours.
Young parent and baby placements (unregulated-not registered placement)- for day to day assistance in supporting young mother’s in ensuring they are meeting their baby’s needs.

SSY offer a range of services for young people which include services/support delivered by in-house staff and outside agencies (specialist support). We understand, empower, engage and support young people by working with them to embed the necessary life skills to live independently. The work completed by SSY is regularly reviewed and measured by using methods such as regular staff supervisions, in-house audits completed by management and 6 monthly/ yearly independent inspections as this will ensure that the young people’s needs are being met and ensures that young people are getting the relevant support as per their plan.

Our Manager/Deputy manager will assist key workers in devising support plans for the YP and ensure that all support that is provided is measured on a regular basis. SSY are committed to ensuring that all YP’s within our accommodation are safeguarded and reach their full potential. We have a huge emphasis on child exploitation (CE). We are able to identify, manage and reduce any risks re CE.

SSY will keep daily logs for each young person and also provide weekly/monthly updates to the allocated social worker of the young person. SSY will liaise with linked professionals, attend any scheduled meetings/reviews, relay concerns that may arise for the young person to all key parties and adjust any plans as per request of the social worker.

We use various packs, tools and support models which include; get ready for adult life YP pack, SOS (signs of safety) and PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) all of which will assist in forming a positive relationship with the YP and ensure that they comply with all support that is offered

Our accommodation is staffed 24/7 which includes night wake staff as this will ensure that we are able to meet the YP’s needs and keep them safe. We are able to;

Welcome the YP in our home and treat them with respect and be open and honest with them.
Set robust boundaries and reinforce these
Complete a risk assessment so that we are able to identify any risks YP’s pose to themselves and others so that we are able to ensure YP’s and others safety and wellbeing (this will be completed with the allocated SW if needed)
Assist YP in registering with local health and education/training services and accompany them if needed
Assist YP with public transport guidance so they gain the knowledge of local public transport
Provide YP with emotional support and Monitor YP’s emotional wellbeing and liaise with the allocated SW as needed
Plan activities/tasks within and outside the accommodation during daytime hours to minimise risks of YP going missing and/or prevent YP from engaging in criminal activities.
Complete work around substance misuse and the risks associated with this. We will refer to specialist services if needed
Complete work around gangs, criminal behaviours and weapons which will include work around the risks associated with the same, impacts on the YP and others and the consequences of these associations/actions
Complete work around relationship building with peers and others including healthy relationships.
Complete work around the consequences of the YP’s actions and how to this will impact on YP and others and formulate strategies to reduce the risks.
Complete work around problem solving and using alternative methods to address issues i.e prevent abuse and violence.
Prompt YP when they have appointments and ensure they wake up early for college etc.
Promote contact between YP and family members as agreed by the allocated SW
Empower YP to part take in local activities which will meet their interests.
Assist is meeting cultural, religious and identity needs
Offer emotional support as and when needed
Prompt YP in taking their medication (if needed)
Identify and manage risks that the YP may place themselves at.
Offer any additional work needed as per care plan

We will teach Independent Living Skills as per “get ready for adult life YP pack”. This is an in-depth pack which has been devised and approved by professionals from various Local Authorities and covers all areas so that YP are ready for independence living when they leave our provision. Please see; https://www.p4i.org.uk/assets/General-Resources/Get-Ready-for-Adult-Life-Reiner.pdf.

Get ready for adult life work will include;

Money– budgeting including shopping, bank accounts, finances, savings and investments, managing debts, paying bills ect
Health-food and healthy eating/cooking, exercise, physical health, substance misuse. etc.
Education, training and employment– looking for education provisions and employment, completing application forms, preparing for interviews etc.
Family and relationships– looking at healthy family relationships and friendships, exploring peer pressure, sexual relationships, identity etc.
Accommodation– discuss safety in your home, basic requirements including furnishing home and domestic skills, refuge collection and exploring outgoings associated with accommodation, home repairs, cleaning your home, energy, recycling, living with neighbours etc.
Looking after yourself– selfcare, caring for clothes and personal safety
Having your say-information and having your say in the community and voting
Legal rights– work around legislation and homelessness acts
Being in care-role of leaving care workers and pathway planning
Life skills– conflict resolution, communication, decision making, problem solving, time-management, planning and diary keeping

The above will ensure that the required outcomes for young people are met which includes;

Be healthy
Stay safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being
Young people are less isolated
Young people’s emotional health/wellbeing improves

SSY can also provide Local Authorities, social services, children trust’s and social workers (at their request), addition services (some of which are outsourced) which include;

CSE risk assessments to measure the ongoing risks that the young people maybe exposing themselves to.
Missing children return interviews.
Specific work around exploitation. Exploitation workshops which includes, CSE, criminal exploitation, county lines, gang affiliation and risks around getting involved with weapons.
Safe-base support and placements
Reunification work
Secure transport
Appropriate adults for interviews

All YP who come into our service will be given advice and guidance on child exploitation including county lines and the risks associated with the same. Any identified risks will be discussed with the allocated SW and relevant safeguards will be put in place. We will complete a CSE screening tool (if needed and update this at regular intervals) and also use the child exploitation disruption toolkit if needed. Our emphasis will be on engaging and forming a positive relationship with the YP as this will minimise missing episodes and reduce the risks of exploitation.