A passion to support UASC with CLA / care leaver status from "Simply Surviving to Actively Thriving".
Moral purpose to improve life chances for UASC.
Working on the premise these young people may be:
At risk, vulnerable, exploited, desperate, isolated, lost.
By offering one to one practical, social and emotional support to these young people who have suffered horrendous circumstances and journeys to come to the UK whilst accepting associated PTSD issues.
Support to include key work sessions developing and working on their existing IPA/Pathway/Support plans toward independent living. This would include support to achieve the usual 5 "every child matters" outcomes;
Stay safe
Be healthy
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being
We make an instant impact by offering tailored bespoke support programmes, with the offer of safe supportive fully furnished quality accommodation and a dedicated key support worker.
Practical day to day support around living independently; including managing a tenancy, budgeting, shopping, cook and eat, staying safe, speaking and communicating.
Health and well-being; support with making and attending GP and other health needs (eg. dental, optician, GUM clinic appointments as required).
Education; keeping in touch with providers and attending reviews and planning meetings. But without taking the social worker role.
Immigration; liaison and support where necessary, but without taking the social worker role.
Social and leisure activities; finding and supporting them to attend social and leisure activities locally, community group involvement / volunteering.
Religious and cultural activities; finding and supporting them to attend suitable provisions as necessary.
Given the nature of supported accommodation SUA is on call to attend and support the young people as required 24/7 365 days of the year if there are any issues affecting them in the home and the community. These visits are unsocial and out of hours times including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Safeguarding and general welfare is a key area of support to Looked After Children and Care Leavers. The proposal offers supported accommodation with daily welfare check ins via visits, calls and texts at times to suit the young person. Young people will be seen together and individually for Key Work sessions as mentioned above.
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 established seven fundamental needs (collectively known as the corporate parenting principles) to which the local authority must have regard when they are carrying out functions in relation to looked-after children and care leavers.
to act in the best interest and promote the physical and mental health and well- being of children and young people;
to encourage children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings;
to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of children and young people;
to help children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners;
to promote high aspirations and seek to secure the best outcomes for children and young people;
for children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work; and
to prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.
Children Act 1989 Sufficiency Duty; meets Section 22C appropriate placement requirements (eg. Duty to safeguard and promote welfare, prevent disruption to education and training ensuring continuity, ascertain wishes and feelings, cultural, religious needs etc.)
Equality Act 2010; meets equality, diversity, cohesion and integration requirements whilst ensuring (value for money) and quality of service. SUA offers quality accommodation provision and qualified support which has already proven to improve outcomes for young people. Please see the extract from a recent LAC review as below.
“PLACEMENT:
What is working well?
KB has settled well in his new home. It is a two bed-roomed semi-detached house on a quiet street. His tenancy is a supported tenancy with Sidiq Ali, who provides 15 hours per week broad-based support. He has been supported to set up home, use household equipment, understand home safety, budget, shop, open bank account, register with GP and Dentist, obtain dental treatment, obtain health inputs, get to know the region, join sports clubs and gyms, and understand and cooperate with the professional network supporting him. The transformation in KB’s confidence and well-being since moving to this tenancy is exceptional.