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Inspiring and supporting young people to live happy, healthy, and successful lives.
For many young people the transition to adulthood and independent living is an exciting journey. However, for those in care this time can bring unique challenges and uncertainties.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to grow into a confident adult who can find their place in the world. To achieve this, young people need positive and dedicated mentors who will nurture and guide them, and help them reach their full potential.
Our Supported Accommodation service bridges the gap between living in care and living independently. The service offers young people the opportunity to experience greater levels of independence and autonomy with a ‘stepped’ approach to independence.
Our focus includes:
We offer tailored support with accommodation - ranging from high-level packages with 24-hour assistance to lower-level support options.
Journey to Independence (J2i) is Keys' transition model, offering young people the highest quality transitional care and support service. It was developed because we care about the future of our young people and are intent on giving them the best chances to become successfully independent.
J2i was informed by national research and outcomes data; and was co-designed by young people. It is a holistic pathway that offers young people continuity of care throughout their care journey.
Lays the foundations for young people's future as they prepare for life after care.
A holistic transition pathway offering continuity of care for the entirety of the young person's care journey.
A 'stepped' transition model which aims to narrow the gap between living in care and living independently.
Supports young people to progress and achieve their independence goals.
Engages young people in planning for their future with timely, well thought-out and structured transitions.
Helps young people to feel in control of their life and their moving on plans.
Provision of ongoing outreach support and access to our signposting services after young people have moved on.
Measures young people's preparedness for life after care, as well as their well-being after they leave care.
Residential Preparation is Stage 1 in the Journey to Independence.
It Is important that preparation for independent living starts as soon as young people and ready and able. All young people should be supported to progress and achieve their independence goals as they approach closer to the age of leaving care. This includes developing practical life skills; knowledge and understanding of the things that matter the most; as well as developing resilience and personal resources needed for independent living.
Keys Independence Framework is a goals and outcomes tool that supports young people to progress and achieve in key areas of their life. It is a tool that guides care staff in support planning and key working with a focus on preparing for life after care .
Future Planning is Stage 2 in the Journey to Independence.
Residential care offers young people high level of care and support. As young people mature and become more independent they could benefit significantly from Supported Accommodation services. Supported Accommodation is a regulated, semi-independent service which offers young people an opportunity to adjust to independent living with a 'stepped' approach.
As part of planning for the young person's future, services should explore, and where appropriate afford young people the opportunity to transition to semi-independence and part of preparation for independent living.
Bridging Services is Stage 3 in the Journey to Independence.
For young people moving onto semi-independence, bridging services is all about timely, well thought-out and coordinated transitions. Transition planning should help young people prepare both practically and emotionally for the next stage in their journey to independence. Young people should take centre stage in planning their transition to ensure they have control over their lives.
The Keys Transition Planner is a framework which sets out all the things that young people and care leavers have told us is important to them as they prepare to move on from care.
Supported Accommodation is Stage 4 in the Journey to Independence
Semi-independent services such as Keys Supported Accommodation focus on supporting young people in their final preparations for life as an independent young adult.
The service focuses on empowering young people to understand their rights and entitlements; it supports young people to find safe accommodation; find a route into education, training or employment; becoming finically independent and astute; as well as helping young people to develop essential support networks that will have longevity beyond care.
Independence is Stage 5 in the Journey to Independence.
Young people preparing to transition from semi-independence to living independently should be afforded the same careful consideration, preparation and support as they get ready to live independently. All young people moving on from Keys services have the opportunity to remain in touch and receive any signposting support when required.
If you would like to refer a young person for supported accommodation or simply wish to learn more about our services, our team is here to help.
We work closely with referrers, local authorities, and families to ensure the best fit for each young person, tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
To make a referral or enquiry, please contact our team. Once we receive your enquiry, our team will guide you through the referral process and provide any information you need.
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