The Youth Support programme provides community based alternatives to residential care or custody. Referrals to the Programme are assessed as being at 'medium to high' risk for young people in the age range 10-17 years of age. Youth Support is delivered using a group model and works in partnership with Social Workers and carers utilising community-based resources to deliver tailored package of services appropriate to the assessed needs of each individual referred. The young person's voluntary participation is required on the programme.
The primary objective is to use the group and the processes that naturally occur within the group, to address issues of social, interpersonal and life issues. It acknowledges the fact that the ability to successfully interact and function in a group (whether family, school or community) is a fundamental requirement in society. The programme consists of a combination of the following sessions:
Activity, Special Interest, group work, Individual Work, Day Trips, Residential Overnights.
Referral Criteria
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Young people who live at home or in a family placement and whose maintenance therein would be strengthened by their inclusion on the programme.
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Young people already in a care placement who, due to their behaviour, may be at risk of being placed in more secure accommodation.
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Young people returning to the community from a 'care' placement who require support to maintain themselves positively.
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Young people who are assessed as Hardiker levels 3 & 4.
The objectives of the service are:
To be needs led, creative, flexible and have a responsive approach, sessions will occur in the evening and on weekends (Monday through to Sunday)
To have a community based approach
To have the young persons voluntary participation on the programme
To support young people within home/ care placement and minimise placement breakdown
To support young people within their own communities
To improve young peoples social and personal functioning
To decrease incidents of problem behaviour
To assist the independent living skills
To support educational or vocational improvement
To assist in the provision of transitional support during placement/educational moves
To work in partnership with other community services in meeting the young peoples needs
To work with parents/ carers to improve the relationship with the young person
Programme Content
The following is an average of what is delivered and is negotiated with the commissioner of service.
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2 Activity Sessions
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1 Groupwork Session
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1 Specific Interests
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1 Day Trip every 2-3 weeks
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4 Residential Nights every quarter
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1 Hrs Individual Work weekly
The Youth Support Programme has a twelve week cycle and operates a groupwork format, which is ideal for those young people who can successfully interact in peer learning models of group. However, where a young person requires specific individual work this is provided through a tailored content that utilises full time staff, sessional staff and volunteers. The latter approach is also engaged as part of an appropriate exit strategy for young people leaving the intensive group phase. Youth Support recognises that many young people require long term support to successfully maintain themselves in their living arrangements. Where possible, young people will be referred on to less intensive community based services.
Working Hours:
Flexible Working Hours Monday- Sunday which includes hours delivered in the evening and weekends.
Staffing Ratio maximum1:6