Why?
Findings from the Bright Spots pilot in Scotland showed that a third of care leavers in Aberdeenshire did not always feel safe where they live. This is over twice the rate (16%) for children and young people (11-18yrs) in care.
What?
Aberdeenshire reviewed their existing provision of moving on accommodation options, and heard from young people who said that traditional options such as the Transitionary Residential Care Service and Supported Lodgings Service, were no longer what young people were seeking when moving on from care.
Aberdeenshire undertook a full review of their accommodation provision, leading to the need to develop an alternative option for their young people. The Moving On Project Group took part in a 2-day ‘Design Sprint’ with the Promise Scotland. The focus was on moving on from care accommodation options, and from there they have consulted widely with young people and staff as to future options.
What difference did it make?
Aberdeenshire are in the process of finalising a design proposal for a new service which will provide much needed support for young people who might otherwise find themselves living somewhere that they do not feel safe. The service would provide safe housing for young people with optional support from a designated team.
The service proposal is directly influenced by real life experiences of young people who have left care and is designed to provide a safe home for young people which is not reliant on the young person engaging with services.