Listen Up - Social Welfare Portal

listenup!104 | Case Study 5and 38% female. No data on the ethnic origin of theyoung people was collected during this period (seecurrent priorities).What the service offers• information and support• assessment• groups for those who self-harm• groups for 11-16 year olds with emotional andbehavioural difficulties• support group for 15-21 year olds focused oncommunication skills for vulnerable, isolatedyoung people• substance misuse advice• peer support• advocacy• support to young people trying to access or reengagewith education, employment and daily life• aromatherapy• relaxation• art therapy groupsFamily/carer involvementSupport @ The Junction is keen to involve familiesand carers in its work programme as it acknowledgesthat young people are part of a wider network. Thereis a family support group as well as more informalforms of contact such as telephone conversations. Inaddition, families and carers are welcome to cometo assessments and reviews as long at the youngperson consents to this. The friendly and voluntarystatus of Support @ The Junction means that theservice can potentially be seen as less threateningthan statutory services, so it is rare for either theyoung person or the family to object.Current programme prioritiesi. ConsultationThe further development of consultation isplanned. This will include organising a youngperson’s consultation event every summerbringing together professionals and youngpeople who use services.ii. Service developmentNew groups are being set up including an angermanagement group.iii. Sexual healthThe Junction is in the process of liaising withthe Trust’s Sexual Health Service regarding theintegration of this service with those on offer atthe Junction.iv. Monitoring of ethnicityIn line with a review of national Mind policy, theJunction is about to begin the monitoring ofethnicity of both staff and young people usingthe service.How the project addresses gaps in local serviceprovisionThe service was set up to provide an approachable,non-statutory, young person-centred servicetackling behavioural and emotional issues as well assubstance misuse. It is the only voluntary service inthe local area that works solely with young people inthis group.Barriers and constraints which impedeeffective provisionThe main issues are a lack of funding, particularlylong-term funding.Staff shortages have meant that Support @ TheJunction has had to abandon its keyworker systemwhich used to offer effective support in involvingfamilies and carers, as it allowed time for extra oneto-onesupport and meetings.ContactsSupport @ The JunctionThe Junction78 Maldon RoadColchesterEssex, CO3 3AL.Telephone: 01206 541841Website: www.colchestermind.org/yp-services.php