Support & Independence
Glowing Minds offers a tailored Preparation for Independence program to all young people in our supported accommodation or receiving floating support. Personalised support plans identify key areas for growth, ensuring each plan is specific to the individual’s needs.
Support & Independence Program
Glowing Minds offers a structured, strengths-based ‘Independent Living Journey’. Young people co-create a bespoke workbook to track their progress towards independent living skills. They can also work towards AQA accreditation, gaining valuable qualifications and a sense of accomplishment.
Our personalised support plans focus on individual needs and goals, adapting as circumstances change. We collaborate with social workers, leaving care teams, CAMHS, and other professionals to create positive outcomes. Action plans address specific challenges, including referrals to specialist services when necessary.
The ‘Independent Living Journey’ covers essential life skills including:
- Setting goals and aspirations
- Financial management: budgeting, banking, bills, benefits
- Health and wellness: physical and mental health, nutrition, exercise
- Relationships: family, friends, romantic partners
- Home life: accommodation, cooking, cleaning, safety
- Personal development: education, employment, self-care
- Community engagement: travel, public transport
Education, employment, and training are core components of our program. Our teams have deep knowledge of local services, including those for young people with complex needs. We partner with schools, colleges, universities, and employers to create opportunities.
We inspire young people to reach their full potential by exploring various pathways. This includes attending open days, developing job-seeking skills, and providing practical support like CV writing and interview coaching. We also assist with travel training and independent living skills to ensure successful transitions.
As young people approach independence, Glowing Minds collaborates closely with the placing authority to assess their abilities and develop comprehensive Action Plans. Key steps include:
- Early planning: Six months before a young person’s 18th birthday, we assist with housing and benefits applications.
- Skills assessment: We evaluate independence skills using Outcomes Stars™ to inform support planning.
- Housing options: Glowing Minds provides information on housing options (council, private rented) and supports registration with the East London Lettings Company.
- Sustainable support: We help secure tenancies and ensure ongoing support is in place before a young person leaves our care, including access to essential services.
