What we do

By providing an holistic package of care, information and education to young women between 11 and 18 years, the service aims to:

• promote their safety
• increase their sense of self-worth and self-esteem
• to raise their aspirations for the future
• and to encourage and support them to exit harmful relationships

The direct work includes a range of activities, programmes and opportunities that address the young women’s diverse and complex needs, it is client-centred and dependent upon each of their individual circumstances.

The Service encourages their clients to express their feelings positively so that their feelings are acknowledged, whilst supporting the significant adults in their lives to meet the young women’s needs. We also works with the young women to encourage them to make more positive contributions however small and not act out in ways which may be criminal, anti social or self destructive.

During our work with them, we give our clients a central role in their assessment. The service uses a self-assessment tool, in which the young woman is encouraged to discuss both the levels of risk and the positive factors in their lives. They then agree to a support plan between themselves and their worker. We believe that, by giving young people, who often have not been properly listened to, a central role in deciding what they do with their worker, we help empower them to take greater control in other areas of their lives.

Along with education and training, our goal is also to help them to discover ways of having enjoyment and fun in a way that is not ultimately self-destructive or harmful. Achieving this involves taking very small steps, building the self esteem and self confidence so that the young woman is willing to try new experiences, tolerate frustration and not give up at the first obstacle.

Simply spending time listening to and not judging the young women whilst giving them the experience of age appropriate activities is something they enjoy tremendously – and makes them feel valued.

A trip to the cinema, a game of bowling or even just going for a coffee or a burger introduces them to experiences most teenagers take for granted but that our clients may never have had.

This, in turn has helped to increase the young women’s sense of self worth, self esteem and self belief which helps them to reconsider their exploitative relationships.

If a problem has been identified whereby a more specialist service is appropriate, we have encouraged the young women to access services appropriate to their needs often helping them to make and keep appointments.

We also provide support and advice to young women who have gone missing from home, offering ‘keep-safe’ work, exploring why they went missing, the risks involved, how to reduce risks and alternatives to running away; or for those whom we know or suspect of being involved in sexual exploitation, we offer a place for our mainstream service as soon as we can accommodate them.