Our Services -
Moving to Independence
The Boulters 'Moving to Independence' scheme was established in 1996. Prior to this, Tony and Julie Boulter, the Company Directors, had fostered young people for several years. They soon realised that there was little or no accommodation and support available for young people once they moved on. They decided to provide accommodation with support for young people to enable them to make the transition from being 'in care' to independence more successfully.
The resource is now well established and has been contracted by local authorities throughout the country. There are now seven houses and one-bedroom flats providing flexible and tailored levels of support and supervision to young people aged sixteen and upwards. The resource is now used by local authorities both as a natural progression from our children's homes and as a service they can contract into directly for young people needing support with living independently.
Location
The resource is situated in the heart of East Kent which offers a number of excellent colleges and educational facilities. We are conveniently situated forty minutes by train from London. There are a number of local train stations within easy reach, and a good local bus service. We have good links with local careers and employment services, including Connections, all of the properties are close to local shops and a town, and there is a good variety of local amenities and leisure facilities. There are two local hospitals within easy reach, as well as a local minor injuries unit.
Given the good transport links, we are able to accept referrals from all parts of the country. The resource has a pool of vehicles and we are therefore able to assist young people to maintain contacts wherever they are.
Aims
Our aim is to provide a caring and supportive environment in which young people can learn the skills necessary to enable them to live in the community with confidence. We recognise that young people who have been 'looked after' face additional obstacles in successfully moving into independence. We aim to promote a sense of self respect in young people along with an awareness of their responsibilities to others and to their community as a whole.
We strive to offer a safe setting in which young people can learn the appropriate skills without being afraid to make mistakes. Staff guide and advise young people to support them in gaining the skills and knowledge necessary for independence and staff will endeavour to assist young people to develop positive social relationships. To this end staff will teach young people money management, social skills, personal hygiene, cooking and domestic skills as well as relevant life skills.
Staff are on hand to discuss any issues which trouble young people and to assist them to consider alternative ways of dealing with their problems. Staff will ensure that young people are able to access the necessary health services locally as well as other agencies they may require.
Our aim is to encourage young people to obtain a place in some form of training or further education, and, where possible, to gain employment. Staff will support and guide young people in all aspects relevant to this goal. We have developed good contacts within these areas. The resource is also able to offer programmes of work experience within the organisation, for example in carpentry, plumbing and maintenance and decorating.
Accommodation
The resource comprises of seven houses and one bedroom flats in the Sittingbourne and Rainham areas. We are therefore able to offer young people a choice between accommodation in which young people can share a house and communal facilities whilst having their own room, and a flat in which they live on their own. All of the semi independent properties are furnished and maintained to a high standard. Young people are encouraged to maintain their space to an acceptable standard with support and encouragement from staff. Young people are encouraged to personalise their space when this is consiastent with company rules and consideration for others.
Care
Young people are provided with tailored care packages as contracted by the placing authority according to the level of support they are deemed to need. The minimum support package is for ten hours of staff input a week. Packages are flexible in that they can be tailored to the times most appropriate for each young person. For example, one young person may require specific support or input in the evening, whereas another may have a particular need at the weekend. Staff work very much on the basis of partnership with young people. The aim is for young people to gain the necessary skills and experience to live independently with staff support and guidance, and in so doing to develop their self confidence.
Leisure activities
The resource regularly undertakes team building excursions such as camping, canoeing, canal boating and rock and mountain climbing. Young people are encouraged to participate in the planning and preparation. The aim of these excursions, in addition to having a good time, is to increase young people’s self confidence and self reliance, whilst encouraging them to develop an awareness of others and relationship skills. These activities also offer the potential for education and learning.
In addition to this, the local area has many leisure and recreational opportunities such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants, snooker clubs, sports and health centres, bowling and ice-skating, to name a few. All young people accommodated by The Boulters are registered free with a local health and fitness centre.
Staff are able to assist young people who wish to consider days out. The resource is within easy reach of the coast, London, Canterbury, Hastings, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.
Education
The aim of the resource is to provide young people with sufficient experience and knowledge to enable them to live successfully and independently in the community. Much of this will be provided by the guidance and support of staff.
In addition, the organisation has close links with local colleges and resources such as Connections, and staff will support young people in accessing and maintaining a place in training or further education.
Staff will assist young people to seek appropriate employment by giving support and advise with job applications, interview techniques and presentation. The organisation is also able to provide programmes of work experience.
