The Wave
Working with care-experienced young people to support healthier, safer and independent lives beyond care.
-
The Wave
-
Public Health Northamptonshire
-
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust
-
North Northamptonshire Council
-
Location
Northamptonshire, UK
-
Launch
Sep 2023
-
Area
Health & Wellbeing
Collaborators & Funding Partners
-
Public Health North Northamptonshire
-
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust
Team
Collaborators & Funding Partners
-
Public Health North Northamptonshire
-
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust
-
Robbie is the Programme Director for Forward Outcomes Partnerships and Plymouth Refugee Opportunities.
Prior to joining Bridges in 2019 Robbie spent 20 years working in the third sector. Beginning his career as a Development Tutor at Fairbridge, progressing through local, regional then national Director Roles.
Robbie holds a MA in Professional Development and is a Fellow of Clore Social Leadership.
-
Emily is Programme Manager for our Forward Outcomes Partnerships and Plymouth Refugee Opportunities programmes.
Prior to this role, Emily worked in HR Management whilst completing a BSc in Psychosociology, before moving to a Data Analyst position within Bridges’ Stronger Families programme.
Emily has recently completed an MSc in Psychology and Business with the University of Strathclyde.
-
Instead of focusing evaluations on short-term KPIs linked to activity or inputs, agree the clearest possible metrics that correspond to tangible improvements in people’s lives and report transparently against them – while also working to understand the broader systemic impact of each project, and teasing out the lessons learned to inform future projects.
Overview
Care-experience intersects with and compounds many other recognised forms of systemic disadvantage and inequality.
Care-experienced young people are found to be over-represented in the experience of poverty, isolation, poor mental and physical health, school exclusions and unemployment, in the criminal justice system, and homelessness, extending past the transition out of care and into adulthood. These challenges can increase vulnerability to exploitation and domestic abuse, and raise the risk of children being taken into care, continuing cycles of involvement with the care system.
The Wave is a programme supporting young people aged 16-25 to develop protective factors and mitigate risk factors, by focusing on individualised goals and needs that have been identified and agreed upon with the young person in the following areas:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Personal Relationships and Parenting
- Professional Relationships and Support Systems
- Employment, Education and Training
- Safe and stable accommodation
- Self-Confidence, Independence and Resilience
All activities are underpinned by a relationship-based model and a person-centred approach.
There is a particular focus on supporting young people to access to build and sustain positive relationships with other professionals and services and for the team to work with those services to share a trauma-informed approach, working closely alongside Leaving Care and Child in Care teams to enhance the offer of support to those identified as at high risk.
Outcomes
71 care-experienced young people have started the programme since it launched in September 2023. 90% of young people who completed the programme have achieved positive outcomes across at least 3 of 9 core areas.
-
71
Young people have started the programme
-
90%
Have achieved positive outcomes