Who we are
Major Cares provide a warm, friendly homely environment where young people can feel safe and secure and in the knowledge that they will be taught the skills they need to enjoy their stay with us and enable them to transition to independence. Each young person is provided with their own comfortable room with bed, bedroom furniture and a welcome pack consisting of all bedding requirements, towels, toiletries.
Young people will be involved in planning and choosing a weekly menu plan with support to budget and prepare food. We concentrate on the individual needs of young people and identify each person’s needs through a Personal Support Plan. Our team of professional’s work in line with the young person’s plan to identify appropriate ‘life skill,’ education, training and support services. The person-centred care equips and empowers young people to live independently within their community and make a positive contribution to society. The plan will consider and incorporate the following elements.
Education
We are committed to supporting the young person with educational opportunities necessary for them to develop their full potential. Major Cares works closely with placing authorities to promote the education of young people.
Employment
We encourage and support young people in accessing training or employment and work closely with the local colleges and training providers. Employment and/or an active job search is expected of every young person if appropriate. Career exploration is an important part of our Key Workers role, where young people will be encouraged to gain the skills necessary to seek and retain employment within the community while developing a solid work ethic.
Community Organisations
We will help source and refer young people to local cultural/community organisations that provide support for a variety of cultural groups, to enable them to build up localized community support networks, as well as help them maintain links with their cultural heritage and a positive sense of identity.
Community Service
(Volunteering) We believe community service is an extremely important aspect of the transition to independent living. There are many people and service groups in the local community who could provide a well-rounded life
experience to our young people. The young people we support are encouraged to undertake voluntary work as a means of gaining experience when employment is unavailable, and we will maintain good links with providers of volunteering opportunities.
Life Skills
We will help young people to develop their skills to perform everyday tasks such as paying bills, cleaning, shopping, time management etc. We will help young people to gain the basic financial knowledge and skills to budget, and manage efficiently, personal expenses, pay bills, understand the importance of insurance and income tax, apply for and obtain credit, and establish a food budget and menu by grocery shopping with their support worker. Basic skills of hygiene, laundry, cleaning, and coping with housemates will also be addressed. Other types of training and counselling will be offered according to the needs of the young person, to help with confidence building and self-esteem, and help young people address past behaviours and improve outcomes. We will have an ongoing focus on understanding nutrition, including dietary, cultural and nutritional needs, they will be encouraged to prepare healthy meals under supervision from their key worker, and will be taught the importance of a healthy diet, basic food preparation and food hygiene.
Health
All young people will be registered with the local doctor, dentist and opticians and be encouraged to meet all health appointments as well as CAMHS or therapeutic appointments.
Recreational Activities
We organise activities for young people in our care. We have links with local sports and leisure facilities. Young people will be actively encouraged to plan and participate in activities within the local community. We will support young people in pursuing their own hobbies and interests and will help them to build relationships and feel a sense of community within their surroundings.
Accommodation and Allowances
We can administer weekly allowances to young people upon agreement with the referring authority.