Wolverhampton Young People’s Service

We understand the complexities that these young people may face and work closely with other professionals to develop a network of support that enables our service users to thrive. Our professional partnerships mean we can scale-up our support and help our service users to achieve educational, mental, physical and financial stability. We offer:

• Life skills e.g. cleanliness and hygiene, personal appearance, cooking on a budget, personal safety, learning from mistakes, following rules
• Improved resilience through increased self-esteem, confidence, social skills and better relationships with family and/or friends.
• Tenancy support e.g. housing options, expectations and applications for suitable and affordable accommodation
• Tenancy sustainment e.g. bill payments, organising repairs, staying safe, community integration and tenancy sustainment
• Finance skills e.g. income maximisation, payment priorities, managing money including debt/budgeting and payment plans to tackle any arrears.
• Education and training e.g. IT skills
• Employment (including unpaid voluntary work) e.g. CVs, job applications and interview techniques
• Health services e.g. physical and sexual health, substance abuse
• Emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Social activities e.g. co-ordinating events, linking up with other peer groups to reduce social isolation
• Awareness of the range and availability of other relevant services and opportunities.

The service is prioritised as follows:

• Children and young people in care services aged 16-18 years
• Care leavers aged 18-25 years
• Non-care leavers aged 16 – 25 years

Those eligible must also comply with each of the following criteria:

• Reside within Wolverhampton or have a local connection to Wolverhampton
• Be at risk of homelessness or losing independence
• Be vulnerable and have support needs
• Willing to engage with the service
• At risk of (re)entering higher level/statutory services

Referrals

A gateway process involving a Single Point of Access (SPOA) is managed by Wolverhampton City Council and it is the council who co-ordinates referrals. Following a decision to approve a referral, we will carry out comprehensive assessments of need and risk within five working days. We discuss with the council any issues which may affect the referral/acceptance into the service within three working days of the initial referral being made. Following the satisfactory assessment of need and risk, we will accept the referral and the service user will be placed on a waiting list until a space becomes available.

Accommodation

We currently have two services in Wolverhampton for eligible young people:

Oxford Street This service accommodates 11 young people aged 16- 18. Young people here have access to support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  It is located in Bilston and is close to Wolverhampton City College with local transport links. There are 11 self-contained flats with a shared kitchen and laundry facilities.

St Georges Parade This service accommodates 30 young people aged 18-25. Support staff are available from 9am – 9pm every day. It is located in the city centre, with local amenities nearby. Local transport links are within walking distance.