Positive relationships - School, friends, home, new people, prospective employers and authoritative figures

The continued focus on academic qualifications leaves many young people isolated and without hope.  Students with anxiety, social awkwardness, learning difficulties, fears and phobias about aspects of everyday life are unable to access job opportunities, life skills and experience.  A programme of  encouragement, confidence-building and introduction to opportunities, run at the young person’s own pace, opens up possibilities for success and independence which, in turn builds on those positive experiences.

Having a conversation with a stranger, completing a craft project, understanding why our bodies react physically to emotional stress and how to overcome those feelings.  A wide range of skills, tasks and experience, delivered by calm and reassuring staff can make the difference to a young person who has felt totally disengaged and isolated by their peers and the rest of society.  We can offer a transition back to a life of usefulness and purpose.

Increase aspiration/ambition

Taking the time to convince a young person that they are worthwhile and that they have a positive future ahead can make a huge difference.  Encouraging them to believe that their skills are transferable to an employer and that their qualities are valuable to friends and peers could change their life.  Having positive goals to aim for also reduces the risk of vulnerability to gangs, drugs and undesirable people who benefit from their lack of direction and assertiveness.

Independence skills

Tangible life lessons in travel, budgeting, self-care, financial health, and how to access support in the community  all enable young people to offer their skills to prospective employers.

Often students spend time in a ‘holding pen’ awaiting schools’ and local authorities’ decisions on their future placements.  Parents feel dis-empowered and young people are anxious and frustrated at the lack of information and control they have over their destiny.  Using the recognised Readiness for Reintegration guidelines as a tool to clearly establish the expectations and pointers which are used in the decision making process gives ownership of the situation to the child and allows them to make positive and informed choices in their behaviour and outcomes.

Experienced and qualified Independent Information, Advice and Guidance to find the very best pathway towards a fulfilling future, reflective of qualifications and abilities.  Level 4 Advice and Guidance qualified practitioner with particular experience of SEN, behavioural and anxious young people.  We offer the highest quality support to encourage disadvantaged young people to aim high and achieve direction in preparation for adulthood.