Our Services
Services offered are based on an assessment of each young person’s needs to determine their abilities to independence. All the Young People we care for, should feel safe and be treated as valued members of society, that is why we aim to ensure that every young person is guided on the right pathway when living with us. Thus over time, we help with various aspects of living by themselves to help them obtain an independent life when they leave our care.
While in placement with us, young people can expect to receive support with various aspects of life including, Financial Support, Food and Hygiene, Household work and cleaning, Person-centred support, outreach home support, emotional support, crisis interventions and more.
After one of our young persons are able to move from our care, we will maintain support in helping them get settled in their own place, so they do not get overwhelmed with the changes from care to individual living.
Pathways to Independence
Whilst in care a leaving plan or plan of action will be drafted in conjunction with that individual and the placing authority. It is to aid in the young person's movement from full-time care and to adventure into independent living.
The steps taken will be carefully thought out to ensure that when an individual leaves Duston Care, they feel supported. We can offer a monitored care package, where a key worker can monitor the starting stages of the young persons independent living by phone or visits and feedback regularly to the placing authority. We encourage that each individual keeps in contact for the scheduled period once they have left Duston care.
Detailed planning will take place in the time leading up to leaving care to ensure the appropriate and agreed plans are in place so that the young person’s needs are fully met. There will be full consultation with aftercare services to ensure a smooth transition.
Training and Employment
We know the importance of employment in independent life, thus Duston Care aids in helping young people in identifying their interests and look to attain the correct training and employment opportunities available in their chosen field.
We help in finding them apprenticeships, internships and jobs which lead to long and successful careers. Our aim is to ensure that by the time our young people leave our care they are educated and knowledgable regarding how to apply and attain meaningful employment.
Work and Learning
We believe education is a vital part of a young person’s development and it is essential that young people in our care are exposed to the same educational opportunities as all other children.
Duston Care will ensure the Personal Education Plans includes the contact details of the Virtual School Head (VSH) for the authority that looks after the child.
Duston Care is determined to help our young people do as well as they can academically and encourage them to strive to;
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Achieve their goals
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Have fun whilst studying
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Explore all educational possibilities
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Have a willingness to learn
Our primary aim is to ensure that wherever possible a young person who is accessing education prior to arriving at Duston Care, living there is minimal disruption to this and where their existing education cannot continue due to locality there is a speedy smooth transition to a suitable education establishment.
Promoting Independence
It is our aim to provide a person-centred, practical approach to empowering our young people to make appropriate choices and decisions.
We believe our young people should be firmly part of any decision making and are invited to participate in weekly meetings with either their key worker or home manager where minutes will be recorded. The manager will ensure that all feedback is valued and acted upon accordingly. This provides a platform to raise concerns, make suggestions and be part of the consultative process which promotes respectfulness and boundaries.
Duston Care will consult regularly with our young people regarding their care, to ensure their individual needs are met.
Our young people are also encouraged to take an active role in caring for their living environment and are encouraged to decorate their personal spaces to reflect their individual taste.