At London Care Solutions, we strongly believe that at age 16, all adolescents should be given the opportunity to experience a bit of independent living. In the case of children who have spent their whole lives in care, we feel it is all the more important that the transition to fully-independent adulthood at age 18 is handled well, gradually and with an appropriate level of support.

The case histories of some children in care might make it difficult to contemplate releasing them to a more independent lifestyle, but it has been our experience that even some of the ‘toughest’ of young people can respond surprisingly well to a taste of freedom. They rise to the challenge of a clean break and relish being treated like adults. Give a 16-year old the time to think and reflect on what a better future might look like, and you’re more likely to see a motivated and likeable adult at age 18.

The London Care Solutions Semi-Independence Programme enables adolescents to live in an attractive flat on their own but with an appropriate level of daily supervision. London Care Solutions also operates a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year, freephone emergency response service so that our young people can contact us whenever and wherever a problem arises in their lives.

Each young person is treated as an individual:

• a programme and contract will be made recognising the young person’s abilities and aspirations
• realistic goals will be set for each individual
• life skills coaching will be tailored appropriately

For the majority of young people on the programme, the acquisition of practical skills is easy, however the interpersonal skills needed to co-exist in present day society are complex – which is why London Care Solutions makes a constant input in those areas. We place a heavy onus on individuals to accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions.