AdvocacyWorks is a community based support service for young people and their families/carers. The principal aims are to support young people within their family home and community to reduce the likelihood of them moving into residential care and to ease the transition for young people moving on from Kibble and returning to their communities.
A community based support service for young people and their families/carers— AdvocacyWorks
These services are underpinned by an intensive, individualised, strength-based approach that focuses on the needs and goals of young people and their families. With the role modelling, advice, and guidance of an Advocate and other staff, young people and families take steps to achieve their intervention plan goals and build relationships with people in their own communities who can provide ongoing support. Every family has strengths and our approach is to support them in solving their own problems. AdvocacyWorks staff are guided by the philosophy of doing “whatever it takes” to work in partnership with families to meet their goals.
The AdvocacyWorks programme usually runs for between four to six months with each young person, but can be available for longer, if needed. Advocates work with young people and their families (or carers) to advise, support and guide them to reach mutually agreed goals. Advocates work from a strength-based, flexible and creative approach, depending on presenting need. They typically work with young people around ten hours a week in a particular pattern of days and times that is built around the needs of the family. In addition advocates can be available to provide support if unexpected family situations/crises arise.
The programme has three phases - engagement, working towards goals, and moving on. During the engagement phase advocates spend time getting to know the young person and family's strengths, skills, and interests, as well as their needs. In addition, they also learn about significant people in the young person's life. After this period, a meeting is held with the young person, family members, service providers, other people who are important to the young person and AdvocacyWorks staff to identify intervention goals. The remaining time in the programme is spent on working toward goals and reviewing progress, with some time for leisure and positive recreation built in. Generally speaking, 75% of time with young people and families is spent working towards goals and 25% is spent on leisure/recreational activities.
Around every three months, the intervention plan and progress is reviewed and adjusted, if need be, as young people prepare to move on from the programme. As young people progress they spend more time engaged in community-based services, activities, and/or employment and less time each week with their advocate. A young person is ready to move on from the programme when goals are achieved or they no longer wish to participate. Moving on is typically celebrated with a special event or activity of the young person's choice. Young people are welcome to be readmitted into the programme, should the need arise.
We welcome referrals from social work and education departments for both young people living within their communities and for young people currently within a Kibble residential placement. Typically we start working with young people in a residential placement at Kibble around four weeks before they move on to return to their community. Should you wish to have an informal discussion regarding a referral please feel free to contact .