Pathfinders welcome young people into its homes, who are at the beginning of their journey into independent living and adult hood.  For some young people this can be an anxious and daunting time. Staff are always readily at hand to listen, support, guide and nurture young people through their day-to-day living, showing curiosity and empathy. The support staff at Pathfinders are trauma - informed and use their skills to help young people who at times struggle with their past experiences to feel safe and supported. Pathfinders, supports its young people with “a young person – centred approach,” empowering young people to feel “in control “and at the centre of managing their own care. Each young person has an individualised “My support plan” which enables young people to explore and identify with their keyworker/support worker specific goals and outcomes that are important to achieve. This runs alongside their young person’s local authority Pathway plan and skills journal, which coupled together provides a solid foundation for building their future success and wellbeing.

The Pathfinders “My Support plan” covers areas such as -

• Understanding a young person emotional triggers and information about them and their identity

• Helping and supporting young people to identify their status regarding education, training and employment

• Identifying a young person skills and areas where they need targeted support

• Identifying and supporting with their physical and mental health needs

• Identify and understanding their social mobility and transportation needs.                                                                                                                                                  

Pathfinders supports young people from diverse faiths and cultures and ensures that they continue to follow their beliefs. Our staff are experienced in supporting asylum seeking young people and will help them with their specific needs, such as food shopping, ensuring food is appropriate to any cultural dietary requirement. Pathfinders also recognises the importance of cultural identity and a sense of belonging, which contributes young people’s well -being and self-worth. Pathfinders recognise that some asylum-seeking young people may have been trafficked and are victims of modern-day slavery. Our staff  are trained in trauma – informed practice and use this approach on a day-to-day basis, it is hoped that in time unsettled and traumatised asylum-seeking young people will process and recover from past trauma, enabling any young person who finds themselves in this position to feel safe and secure.  All young people are supported with health care appointments.

At Pathfinders we feel that life is hard enough to be 16 and not living at home, having to support yourself with managing your money for all your living expenses, therefore we have a reward system in place which we call an incentive menu.  This is to acknowledge and reward young people to keep a tidy home, attend education/ work and appointments.