Does the service provided as the ‘Corporate Parent’ exceed the minimum requirement to avoid state intervention?
It is a sad indictment, that over a third of prisoners under 21’s, have been subject to the UK care system and with ever increasing workloads, the outlook for the current 105,000+ young people connected with the ‘care’ system in the UK, looks as bleak as ever. For decades, it has been acknowledged that when anyone enters the care system, social, emotional & mental health are the most common primary needs, yet the outcomes for these people have remained largely unchanged, despite numerous inquiries, and the best efforts of professionals that are totally overwhelmed by a system that is broken.
In short, if the outcomes of biological parenting, mirrored the outcomes of ‘corporate parenting’ there would be a statutory intervention.
It is understood that any intervention in a child’s life has an impact. For too many young people the vast complexities of their experiences make it difficult for service providers to do more than play ‘catch up’. By understanding the simple fact that, the young people will, through no fault of their own, have some key building blocks in their emotional, psychological, and social make up either missing or greatly reduced. Which means, if by the age of 14 these building blocks, cannot be replaced, or at least developed, the young person is unlikely to be able to build effective relationships until they are in their early 20’s, if ever.
A positive intervention of soft skills, core understanding and increased confidence in a young person’s potential, is vital in any young person’s life. For a child connected to Social Care, is critical in bucking the trend of wasted youth, ending the systemic passing from the care system to the Justice system. Simply removing physical risk is not the same as supporting a young person. There must be an element of safeguarding the emotional and psychological well-being and development, of these young people and if that can instil the core skills and self-awareness that, those outside the care system take for granted, then the long term out comes can organically improve.
We acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all those that work in social care. It is often a tireless, relentless slog, that is rarely credited with the respect the people involved deserve. By focusing on the fundamentals of the relationship between Professionals and Young people as well as between management and its front-line staff. APA’s Community Learning Hive is able to offer a unique collection of programmes that give elevated levels of knowledge, confidence, and communication, which support Young People ‘In Care’ (including early intervention & post adoption), Social Workers, Care workers, Foster Carers, and Educators.
For more details contact www.ayanay.co.uk