PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES

Aftercare Service

Our Aftercare Service works with service users to identify suitable future options and then support them in these options. The Aftercare Worker is also involved in group work with service users around application form construction, interview skills and coping mechanisms for the future. One important role of the Aftercare worker has been to develop stronger relationships with the people whom we refer at the end of their six months and collect accurate information.

Service users on the main programme receive one to one support, guidance and advice on future options from the Aftercare worker at any stage. However, if a service user has not asked for an appointment by the time they have completed four months of the programme we arrange time for them to discuss their options. Service users are encouraged to develop a C.V and we arrange appointments with the Careers Service which helps to compile their employment and unemployment history.

The Aftercare worker assists service users to look at fears of the future, hidden and transferable skills and realistic future options. The worker will then accompany the service user to any appointments in order to alleviate fears, provide support and encouragement and meet the agency staff.

The Aftercare Service will continue to support the service users when they have moved on and will meet them at their chosen option and offer support, guidance and advice in their new environment. Currently there is no time restriction in the Aftercare service but we encourage service users to access other community services and to eventually cease support. Aftercare service users may also access Friday group work afternoon sessions if they choose. This can be vital contact time with other people and it is very beneficial to people in the main group to see that others have progressed through the programme and are stable in their chosen option.

During their time in the main programme the Aftercare worker also delivers group workshops on future options, interview skills, fears of the future and skills needed. This enables the entire group to talk about their fears and share advice and positive examples with each other.

The Aftercare service has proven essential in establishing and maintaining partnerships and close working relationships with other agencies which is essential for the service users to move on and sustain their chosen options.

Aftercare Development

Advance Programme
This year has saw the development of our existing Aftercare Service.  The additional development of this service will make an extremely positive difference to our ability to enable participants to access and sustain further options after leaving Move On.

These developments include:

• Establishing a new 'Advance' Group Work Programme specifically for people who have completed Move On’s Training and Development Programme, and who have moved into a further option, offering opportunities for peer support for participants.

• Strengthening our ability to provide aftercare support for participants with addiction issues.

• Focusing on issues of income, including the benefit trap and the implications of take up of certain options on benefits.

• Pilot peer mentoring based on successful models developed by other Move On services.

• Provide a 'fast-track' for service users of Move On’s other two Glasgow-based services.

• Improve and develop our partnership working making it more effective.

The  Advance programme will be open to people who have successfully completed our Training and Development programme, and have moved on to another option.  The emphasis is on moving on and sustaining progress.  The programme will offer opportunities for regular peer support focusing on coping mechanisms and building up additional support networks, time management, health management, coping with feelings of insecurity when entering a new option and taking and managing personal responsibility for sustaining their chosen option.  The programme will also adopt the peer support model already successfully used by other Move On services to increase the participant’s ability to sustain options. 

Glasgow Move On currently operates two other services; a Floating Support Service and a Housing Education Service.  Service users and volunteers from these services may be sufficiently stable and focused to access further education, volunteering, training  or employment options, but do not have access to appropriate support to enable them to do this.  We have already begun to promote this service ensuring service users are aware that the new aftercare worker will be in a position to engage with these individuals on a one to one basis.  In addition for some it may be appropriate for them to join the Advance programme.

The continued development  of the Aftercare Service is an essential part in the uptake and sustainment of further options. 

We are currently establishing the foundations of a new programme which will strengthen a long-term sustainable pathway for our service users, one which is not intimidating, daunting, or unsustainable.  It will be supportive, challenging and focused on the personal achievents and sutainable option uptake of our service users and programme participants.