Services and facilities for the Young People we accommodate and support

Education and Training

Arrangements in place to promote the involvement and progress of young people in education, training or employment.

We provide strong encouragement through Pathway Plans and our key worker/support worker for young people to engage with employment, apprenticeships, education and training.

This is done through:

• Asking young people what they would like to try in terms of college courses or training, for example, skills and knowledge they want to develop
• Volunteering at food banks and other activities
• College enrolments and online training
• Applications for work experience placements and jobs
• Creative activities, e.g. music sessions
• Preparation of CVs, applications and for interviews
• Thinking outside the box - maybe singing lessons or enrolment at a music recording studio if this is their interest

Accommodation

We have 9 placements in Teesside, across Hartlepool, Thornaby and Middlesbrough.

Each of our placements are three-bedroom houses in great community locations.

The accommodation we provide is self-contained, good quality, furnished, equipped, secure and safe properties. Locality Risk assessments are in place for our properties and show any risk identified at present.

Each young person either has an exclusive occupation of the house as their home, or use the property within group accommodation as appropriate. This depends on what has been agreed by the commissioner at the time of the placement. If solo accommodation has been contracted, then we will not place another child in this property until the placement has ended as agreed.

Furnishings, homewares and appliances are provided as starter packs when they take up occupation, so they have everything they need to live independently. Where possible, we enable the children to choose their bedding, pictures and light shades if it helps them settle in and makes the property feel more homely for them.

Accommodation is allocated according to the recognised needs of each young person, in terms of areas, borough, accessibility and any adaptations needed within the dwelling. We operate a property repairs & maintenance service, which also responds to any out-of-hour emergency calls.

Support

Our key worker / support workers are passionate about making a positive impact on the young people they support.

The are skilled and experienced in providing young people with support in the following areas;

• Living independently in the group or solo accommodation
• Managing money
• Engaging in education/training, employment, volunteering, and creative activities
• Cultivating a social network of positive relationships with family and friends
• Food and nutrition, and preparing their meals
• Cleaning their accommodation
• Washing clothes, bedding and personal hygiene
• Accessing local services for healthcare, dentists, transport, leisure/recreation
• Obtaining a bank account, passport, driving license and other legal documents as requested by the young person and the social worker
• Opening a bank account
• Writing a CV and applying for college or work
• Flexible responses to requests for advice, assistance and help to resolve challenging situations faced by young people

Activity

We actively encourage young people to pursue their passions and interests, adopt hobbies, and join groups to meet likeminded people.

We offer support with budgeting to facilitate these activities and can accompany young people until they feel confident to do it alone.

The local area having many activities available such as:

• Cycling
• Swimming
• Air trail
• Cinema
• Hiking
• Arts
• Horse riding
• Cadets
• Clay pigeon shooting
• Gym