It is Youth Hubz aim to complete an in-depth initial assessment of each young person by completing a pre-placement impact assessment. This comprises of a risk management plan that is informed by the young person’s initial paperwork and a planned visit with the young person.
The packages are tailored to the young person’s needs and promote their independence.
The initial assessment will aid the staff working with the young person to understand their needs from the beginning. Any assessment will also aid detailed placement planning, thorough reporting and any staff training that is needed to safeguard the young person. The aim for ongoing assessment is to continually support the young person’s development in order to create positive outcomes.
Youth Hubz uses Ofsted Categories of placement for referrals.
Emergency placement: (Category 1 or 2)
We will move young people into a placement or Out Of County in an emergency - provided this is not to the detriment or safety of the young person.
As much preparation work will be completed and put in place for the admission to ensure the best possible start for the young person. We request that the placing authority complete as much as possible of the relevant documentation prior to an emergency admission and provide the rest within 48 hours.
In this event, a planning meeting must take place within 24 hours of the young person’s admission and delegated authority must be sought prior to the admission.
Low needs placement: (Category 2)
The young people in a low need placement will have a higher level of independence and will be preparing for the next step towards independent living.
Support is focused on ensuring the young person has the skills and resources to achieve their goals.
Support to secure and maintain education, employment and training
Support with independent living skills
Continued support with well-being, as and when required
Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service.
Medium need placement: (Category 1 and 2)
The young people in a medium need placement will be able to evidence some level of independent living skills but will require support across most areas. These young people may also have previously had a high need or vulnerability.
Support to secure and maintain education, employment and training
Support required on a number of independent living skills.
Support required to obtain and move into independent accommodation.
Possible support with access to additional services, if required.
Provision of a 24-hour emergency response service.
Higher need placement: (Category 1)
Most of our placements are the harder-to-place young people with complex needs who require higher staffing support and multi-agency support.
Individual risk assessments for these young people are in place and shared with staff – with serious incidents identified. Staff are made aware of what actions to follow and who to contact. Risk assessments may identify the need for solo placements, additional staffing (Youth Hubz are flexible in adjusting staffing ratios to meet risk requirements- these are time framed and aligned to Ofsted’s 2023 framework support model).
We work collaboratively with other professional bodies, appropriate family contacts/friendships and potential risks to staff, other young people or themselves. LAC assessments help secure a suitable placement.
Young people with higher need placement will need support across most areas and have complex needs including ADHD, Autism and mental health problems MD. They may display risk-taking behaviour. The issues outlined below are examples of areas we can support in our home:
Assessment and support required to prepare for independence
Self-injurious behaviour
Sexual exploitation - CSE
Criminal exploitation - CCE
Exploitation of any other kind
Drug misuse - D
Alcohol and substance misuse- A
Sexualised behaviour
Young people with hearing impairment, sensory impairment – SI
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children UASC placement: (Category 2)
We work with other local authorities; we accept referrals and accommodate UASC via the ‘The National Transfer Scheme’ (NTS). The National Transfer Scheme (NTS) in the United Kingdom is a program designed to facilitate the transfer of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) from one local authority to another. It aims to ensure a more equitable distribution of responsibility for the support of these vulnerable yp across different regions.
The scheme allows local authorities with capacity to support more young people to accept transfers from areas where there may be a higher concentration of UASC. By spreading the responsibility more evenly, the NTS helps to alleviate pressure on individual local authorities and ensures that the needs of UASC are met effectively. The scheme is coordinated by the Home Office in collaboration with local authorities and relevant agencies.
At Youth Hubz we provide accommodation for UASC (unaccompanied asylum-seeking children), that are safe, warm, homely and welcoming. We provide a supportive multi-lingual environment in which UASC can learn to develop and grow. We nurture a sense of belonging, strengthening the UASC confidence and trust in adults. Whilst providing the UASC with the emotional stability needed to develop positive friendships, and to engage with the wider community.
Below are examples of areas we can support in our home:
We provide safe and top-quality accommodation for UASC aged 16-18 years of age.
We champion and advocate for UASC voice, using the feedback to ensure positive service outcomes, and a high-quality provision.
We support UASC with family contact and communication (either in the UK or country of origin).
We promote equal opportunities for UASC to engage with the local community to promote inclusion, participation and emotional resilience.
We work in partnership with professionals involved in UASC support to optimise the potential for positive outcomes.
We enable the positive transition of UASC to independent living with a robust independent skills program.
We support UASC with mental health, trauma, registering for all medical services, education, housing and leisure activities.
We meet the cultural and religious needs of each UASC, to link with local religious and community groups.
We support UASC with the asylum process and finding legal representation
We safeguard and manage specific risk/s of all UASC, including modern slavery, trafficking, radicalisation, CCE and CSE.
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Giving young people, leaving care, the help and care they need to live independently...
After leaving school, I worked in the textile industry for over 20 years. To support and encourage my daughter to attend college I completed an access to higher education course, where I had the chance to volunteer at a homeless shelter as part of the curriculum.
My passion for helping others then led me to start working with young people, initially in a mother and baby unit. In 2003, I joined Calderdale Council as a casual residential worker, becoming a permanent staff member in 2007. I then moved to a short break unit for children with learning disabilities in 2011, where I stayed until 2015 before changing my career path to focus more on support than care.
For the next 8 years, I had the privilege of supporting 16-18 year old care leavers, and I was even promoted to manager in 2018. It was a very rewarding experience, but I was eager for a new challenge when the opportunity to become a team leader working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) became available. I'm really enjoying the new experiences and the chance to support these young people as they navigate the asylum process and work towards living independently developing skills for community safety and involvement, personal hygiene, and basis English.
Outside of work, I cherish my time with my children and grandchildren. It brings me great joy to be able to spend quality time with my loved ones.
Babita Mehta
24/7 Operational Manager
Babita has worked with children for over 20 years. She has worked in the Education sector in a safeguarding role, before transitioning into Safeguarding Lead with Youth Hubz Semi Independent Support where she has worked for the last 18months. She is currently completing Level 4 in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner and ensures she keeps up to date with her role by attending various Safeguarding Leadership courses with new legislation and guidance. Babita has been Safeguarding Lead since 2021. She supports the implementation of policies and procedures with safeguarding practices. She ensures staff are up to date with all the developments in child protection policy, research, practice and guidance. In 2023 Babita was promoted to Operational Manager for 24/7 support.
