A young offender with a history of violence is granted bail but is in immediate danger of becoming homeless.
A case worker from Bristol council tells how he found the teenager temporary accommodation and helped him focus on his education and career.
I began working with a 17-year-old on the day he was granted bail.
He had a history of violence and needed to be kept focused. He was also in immediate danger of becoming homeless and needed close support and help.
The Resettlement and Aftercare Provision (RAP) programme, a national strategy to help young people with drug problems when they leave custody, supplied money for food, clothing and his basic needs.
Help was also given to address his immediate personal health and accommodation needs. I was able to accompany him with a homelessness project and he was initially housed in bed and breakfast accommodation. We helped him move and arranged regular meetings to give ongoing support.
These meetings helped us monitor his wellbeing. At the meetings, we formed a plan to address his academic goals and career prospects. With the support of the RAP programme he has completed a range of courses, an educational assessment and is now on an IT course at college. He has also applied for an engineering diploma.
This young person had experienced periods of exclusion and isolation since he had been expelled from school at 11. This caused him to suffer from a degree of social anxiety, which had a negative impact on his self-esteem.
His confidence and self-esteem have improved dramatically and he's benefited from a constructive routine and participation in positive activities.
He has shown clear improvement and has achieved much in a short space of time, he also has a number of ideas for his future.
So far, the RAP programme has helped him stay in contact with his peers and allowed him to remain focused on his education and career.
He has made constructive friendships with other young people engaging in the RAP programme and I feel this has helped him to rebuild some of his confidence. He is currently living a shared house with three other individuals and appears to be comfortable and settled. I hope this will help him to move forward and gain the confidence to make everyday decisions concerning his future.
- Have you ever faced a tough professional choice? Call Stovin Hayter on 020 8267 4767 or email stovin.hayter@haynet.com.
