Positive Independence will support the young person with the necessary level of support they require depending on their individualistic needs, with bespoke packages.
Positive Independence provides supported accommodation for young people 16 and over, who are Looked After Children. We will support the young person with the necessary level of support they require depending on their individualistic needs, with bespoke packages.
Positive Independence will support young people to gain the skills and knowledge required for an independent life, as the following service features describe:
- Positive Independence can facilitate and support young people who require constant staff availability or for young people who only require a few hours support a week or simply accommodation.
- We have a comprehensive Independence booklet and competencies framework, which the young person will work through, to evidence their developing skills in preparation for Independent living.
- It is our goal to ensure the young person develops these necessary skills as soon as possible. In turn, this will mean less staff availability for the young person, meaning a reduction in costs for Local Authorities. From the initial planning meeting we expect regular meetings with all involved agencies, to monitor the young person’s progress. Positive Independence expects an exit strategy for the young person will be formulated at the first meeting.
- The social worker will always remain the case holder for the young person and will make ultimate decisions with and for them. However, if the young person and experienced staff do not believe their views, wishes and statutory duties are being met, Positive Independence will encourage the young person to speak with managers or utilise the Local Authorities’ complaints procedure.
- We expect all young people utilising Positive Independence to be involved within Education, Training and Employment. Staff, alongside the Local Authorities education teams, will support the individual to access the most appropriate ETE for them.
- Each home will be single occupancy in order to provide the most effective independence package for the young person.
- All staff members have been subject to DBS clearance and have the correct right to work documentation on file.
- All staff receive monthly supervisions and yearly appraisals.
- All staff receive a comprehensive training plan, which is regularly reviewed and refreshed, to ensure competent staff support the young person.
Housing
Each home is fully furnished and has all the equipment required for a "first home". This is to give the young person an understanding of what they will need when they commence with their first tenancy. On admission,Positive Independence will provide the young person with a duvet, 2 duvet covers, 2 pillows, 2 bedding sets, a towel set and a small lamp which will be theirs to take with them when they leave. The young person will also be given a Pay As You Go mobile phone, (£10-£15 if they haven't already got one), a food and a toiletry pack. Young people will be able to earn £10 phone credit per month additional for completing chores within the home.
The young person will be required to budget their finances in line with the benefits they will receive when they are 18. Young people will be encouraged to get part time employment to supplement their funds.
Meetings
Positive Independence understands the importance of the many meetings and visits which are required in a Looked After Child’s life. Positive Independence will facilitate these meetings and visits either at the young person’s accommodation or in our conference room. This will depend upon the young person’s views as to where they would like the meeting to be held. We appreciate the necessity of statutory visits to the accommodation, which will allow the social worker to re-assure themselves of the support the young person is receiving.
The Positive Independence senior management team openly encourage unannounced visits by either the relevant local authority commissioning team and/or the social worker.
Regular meetings with the commissioning teams will be welcome to ensure Positive Independence continues to meet the needs of not only the young person, but also the Local Authority.
Referrals/young people’s situation
Once a young person has been referred to Positive Independence and been accepted, we will conduct introductory visits, in line with the young person and social workers wishes. A staff member will meet the young person in their new accommodation and give them all the relevant documentation and information prior to them residing with Positive Independence.
Positive Independence will accept emergency referrals at very short notice as well as the regular planned admissions. It is acknowledged that when young people find themselves in the situation of needing somewhere to live at short notice, they are probably experiencing significant difficulties. Positive Independence will support these young people with empathy, but also presenting a focus to make positive change and take control back over their life.
Positive Independence will consider a referral for any young person, providing they require support to attain independence. This is regardless of the situation the young person finds themselves in.