Presenter: Heidi Snowdon, Senior Personal Adviser (PA) with Youth Connexions, ST Albans District.
Case work is undertaken in Secondary Schools, Youth Connexions Centre and in the Community.
Case A.
Male aged 16.
Moved from another district within Hertfordshire in June 2009.
Had previous support from a Youth Connexions PA, due to displaying anti social behaviour.
Case handover meeting took place, at new school in ST Albans in June. Young person is present in order to be able to get to know the new PA and also to express areas of support and guidance needs.
Young person is introduced to the summer programme provided by Youth Connexions and delivered by Youth Workers in his local community.
Young person takes part in the programme and is awarded AQAs in activities such as Swimming pool skills, Dance, Football and Kayaking.
Kayaking took place at Outdoor Activity Centre in Cheshunt.
One to one support continues, for the young person, on a less frequent basis.
Outcomes:
Young person is leading a safer life.
He knows howand where he can access safe and positive leisure time activities.
Young Person is achieving higher academic grades at his new school.
Young person feels that his life situation is better in his new area.
Case C
Female aged 14.
Referral to PA for support as head of year felt that “something” was wrong in the home.
During initial session, which lasted one hour, the young person told the PA that she is a carer for her mother. She is the only person living in the home with her mother and she is the sole carer. A lack of social contact is evident. The young person has friends at school, but cannot see these friends outside school time.
Young person attends school in ST Albans and resides in another district, school transport and caring responsibilities take up a great deal of the young person’s time.
A possible referral to Hertfordshire Young Carers is discussed and received well, by client, as a solution for young person to access social contact and residential breaks, with other young carers.
A picture of financial hardship is evident. Young person lacks essential items, such as PE kit and Art material for successful GCSE coursework. A referral to a charitable organisation has been made. An interview, with the charitable organisation, will be attended on 16.12.09 by Young person andthe Personal Adviser. The Personal Adviser will be present for support and advocacy purposes.
Outcomes, after referral and interview processes have been completed, with Hertfordshire Young Carers and the charitable organisation:
- The young person will be able to take part in leisure activities delivered free of charge.
- Young person will also be able to have social contacts in a supported setting.
- The young person will most likely receive funding, for essential educational material and equipment, to be able to achieve higher coursework grades.
Comment by casework presenter:
Casework and one-to-one support does not necessary require many interventions and meetings, to achieve positive and lasting changes for young people.
If the client is receptive, and if relevant referrals are made by Personal Advisers, then much can be done by using relatively small amounts of professional time.