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S.O.C.S.| S.O.C.S. | S.O.C.S.
Geographical Area: Wolverhampton
Age Range Min: 12
Age Range Max: 16
Gender Specific: no
| Culturally Specific: no
Method of Access: Specific targeting of children and siblings of drug misusers. Usually referred by other agencies such as YOT, exclusion units, Family Intervention Team, Schools, Learning Mentors and Educational and Social workers. They have so far (Spring 2004), only had one self-referral.
| | Description | Young people take part in a 10 week course but support continues after completion of the course if necessary. The course is a structured programme as it needs to be educative; looking at alternative thinking and behaviours but it's also designed to be fun, giving all the young people a safe and confidential place to go and meet other young people in the same situation as themselves and to escape from the difficulties they encounter at home. Attendance also gives them the opportunity to take part in other activities at Base 25. Each young person is allocated a key worker with whom they can build up a relationship with and meet at the drop in sessions as well as on the course. The course is designed to build up self esteem and confidence and because of the holistic approach to drug abuse; there is help and support available for other family members if this is needed.
Base 25 is only insured for 11 - 25yr olds and the scheme has unfortunately had to turn away several young children. The development plan includes a funding request for under 11's and for extra counsellors including one for under 11's trained in play therapy and it is hoped to be able to take under 11's in the near future.
Base25 aims to offer young people up to the age of 25 Information on health care, benefits, jobs, training, housing and leisure opportunities. Advice can be obtained through trained Specialists on a confidential basis. They also have a drop in facility, and a series of groups dealing with specific issues such as substance misuse (Subs), Basement Girls (a girl’s only group), Contraceptive Clinic and Young Dads group.
Although there is another Young Carers Group in Wolverhampton, S.O.C.S. is the only group solely for young people affected by substance misuse. From attending Young Carers Association meetings it became very clear that other Young Carers Groups have many different needs to children with substance misusing parents or siblings, for example they could be witness to police raids at home - something young people with a terminally ill parent wouldn't experience. These differences could be barriers to a successful 'mixed' group of young carers. | | Objectives | Aims are to; create an environment where young people can explore issues that effect them and to actively support the personal development of that group; to build self esteem and confidence to access advice and information in a safe, confidential and non-threatening manner; to work with partner organisations for the purpose of exploring referral pathways for young people into community settings; to diminish vulnerability amongst this group and to limit intergenerational drug use.
Objectives of the group are to; provide informal education about drug and alcohol issues/problems, whilst incorporating agreed activities days with the group; to develop support mechanisms within the group, and to identify issues, e.g. young people at risk; to be responsive to the needs of the client group; to empower the young people of the group to make positive choices about change and development; to undertake monitoring and evaluation of the service. | | Staff Profile | | Trained counsellors applying cognitive therapy. | | Linked Organisations | | Links with many agencies that refer young people. Manager also attends the West Midlands Young Carers Association. Links have also been made with a group who offer residential breaks free of charge for vulnerable young people and they are looking to take advantage of this opportunity. |
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