A programme helping to reduce the risks for children in care was visited by a government minister who called in to find out more about its vital work.
The Children’s Society’s Inside Out service offers intensive coaching for 13-18-year-olds in care in Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk.
It made a positive impression on Children’s Minister, Will Quince, during his visit to the charity’s Chelmsford base. Mr Quince met Mark Russell, The Children’s
Society’s Chief Executive, as well as Inside Out coaches and managers and a young person supported by the service.
The Department for Education’s Innovation Programme funded Essex County Council to develop the service, and Essex contracted The Children’s Society to deliver
the work, which was later extended to Hertfordshire and Norfolk.
Inside Out helps young people in care who have struggled amid repeated breakdowns in their placements, resulting in them having to move to different accommodation.
Many have previously gone missing, some repeatedly.
The Children’s Society’s coaches work closely with young people, their social workers and care providers to improve the stability of children’s placements,
reduce risks children face, boost their well-being and support a positive transition to adulthood.
The coaches help young people to access help, for example with their mental health and well-being or to access education, training or work and support them
with daily tasks like cooking.
They help them to establish strong support networks including family members, friends and contacts made through the programme.
Where safe to do so, coaches support young people to ‘step down’ from residential care to lower-intensity placements including foster care and supported accommodation,
and in some cases to return to their family home.
Over the last three years Inside Out has helped more than 100 children across the three counties.
An evaluation last summer found that on average young people supported by Inside Out for 12 months averaged 2.5 placement moves, compared to 3.4 prior to
engaging with the service.
It calculated that every £1 spent on Inside Out generated benefits of £5.10 for the local authority and wider public sector, for example, through savings
on social worker time, placement costs, on locating and supporting young people who go missing and on mental health support.
Most young people told of short-term or long-term benefits as a result of the support they had received, including improved wellbeing, stability, confidence,
personal development, participation in education or training, and transitions to living independently.
One young person said of her coach: “She is really there for me, and I’ve never had that in my life before. She’s stayed. No matter how many times I’ve mouthed
off at her or been rude or said stuff, she’s still there. No one has ever stayed before either.”
Another young person said: “She helped me get through life – taught me new skills and stuff – because life is really difficult for someone like me, living
on my own.”
Mark Russell, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Children’s Minister to hear more about our Inside Out project
and the fantastic support our dedicated staff have been offering children in care.
“These young people may have suffered abuse, neglect and other dangers and challenges and may still be dealing with the trauma.
“Many need a lot of support to recover from all they have been through, protect them from risks going forward and provide them with the stability and skills
they need to look to the future with hope.
“The progress so many of these young people tell us they have made has been truly heartwarming and shows why we need to see more investment in services like
this around the country.
“It’s a win-win, because not only can they lead to better outcomes for young people but they also save public money.”
Cllr Beverly Egan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years at Essex County Council, said: “Inside Out is a key part of our wider strategy that
supports young people in residential settings to raise their aspirations and plan for a positive future.
“We were pleased to be part of sharing the work of the Inside Out project with the minister and highlight the positive difference it is making to young people
in our care.”
Mr Quince’s visit came as the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care works towards publishing its final report and recommendations.
