St Christopher's recognise that leaving care is a process, not an event, and that this process can have a major social and emotional impact on a young person.
Many young people find leaving care an exciting but difficult time. St Christopher's believe that young people leaving care deserve a natural, supported transition to independence.
Our range of services for young people leaving care in England and the Isle of Man includes:
- 24 hour staffed supported housing
- floating support for care leavers within their own homes
- visiting support.
Our work with care leavers is based on an assessment of individual needs and providing tailored packages of care to meet those needs.
The services we provide help young people leaving care to adapt to moving on to independent life.
The aim is to help them develop the confidence and skills needed to live independently. This work is carried out in partnership with the young person's social worker, and focus on the following areas:
- the level of personal support needed
- the accommodation the young person will live in
- plans for further education
- how to find employment
- the support needed to maintain family and social relationships
- practical skills needed to live independently
- financial and budgeting skills
- meeting health needs.
Each young person is allocated a support worker, whose role and responsibilities include:
- providing direct support, advice and guidance
- working in partnership with the young person and their social worker, to agree and draw up their Pathway Plan
- coordinating preparation for independence, using St Christopher's 51 Steps to Independence, a programme of independent living skills
- providing opportunities for young people to explore options and choices
- helping young people maintain and sustain their tenancies
- supporting and recording distance travelled through the use of the Outcomes Star.
Find out more about our new 16+ transition to independence service in London, Knowland House - open now for local authority referrals.
If you are interested in commissioning St Christopher's services call 0208 780 7800 and ask for the Director of Operations or Chief Executive.