Stepping Out Blog

Stepping Out have found that many placement seem to end due to a lack of engagement and proactive support but also importantly the placement’s management methods, particularly when faced with incidents such as challenging behaviour, sometimes it’s just too easy to end a placement. Planning, risk assessing and boundary implementation are factors that must be continuously revised and worked upon.We are seeing the use of larger provisions, offering almost hostel like settings, these types of provisions work to fuel incidents particularly when you have 8-12 young people seeking to share communcal spaces and or obtain the attention of the on site staff member. In these cases more equals less. Less support, less engagement, less attention, less inclusion, and certainly less family orientated compared to the placements offered by Stepping Out.

Stepping Out’s semi independent provisions are set up to provide a small group living environment in order to provide a homely setting. The small groups allow the service users to receive targeted support and close supervision, eliminating the issues of lack of engagement whilst ensuring the client does not feel overwhelmed and or crowded. Down time/self-time is encouraged. All clients benefit from their own bedrooms, specific project offer en-suite arrangements. The projects are suitable for those whom require well-structured living options with strict boundaries. Our projects offer 24 hour on site staff in order to ensure close and regular supervision. We operate a number of provisions, these provisions offer differing arrangements and can accommodate children (14+) and or adults (18+).Stepping Out has built a great reputation for providing specialised up-to 24 hour semi-independent living options for adults and young people leaving care. The type of clients we accommodate and support have varying needs to include: Challenging behaviour, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Sexually harmful behaviour, Sexualised behaviour, Self- Harm, Drug and alcohol misuse, learning difficulties, mental health issues and fabricated and induced illness.

We are currently taking referrals for our waiting list within our projects in Hertfordshire and Haringey, however we have a small number of vacancies within our female projects within the Enfield Borough.