Taking the Hassle out of Letting

Landlords can struggle with tenancies, both with managing them and ensuring the continuity that will give them a reliable revenue stream.

Acting as an intermediary, Independent Together matches people in need of a roof over their heads with the right kind of accommodation, while providing landlords with the necessary assurances around payments and looking after their properties.

We know landlords are looking for peace of mind when it comes to tenancies, and we believe that’s what we can provide. We give them security of income while ensuring that the young adults we supply as tenants maintain the property properly.

If you are a landlord and you want a way of ensuring you get regular income from your property, with reliable tenants, please

Sourcing Accommodation

Independent Together helps bridge the gap between supply and demand when it comes to affordable accommodation.

We liaise with landlords, offering them long-leasehold agreements where we guarantee their rental payments.

This helps landlords, by reducing the level of uncertainty they face with securing tenancies. It also helps the young adults requiring accommodation who might otherwise struggle to find something affordable and suited to their needs.

Independent Together works in partnership with Challenge The Wild to deliver personal development of young adults through a programme of outdoor activity.

Challenge The Wild is based in the Lake District and provides a range of events for charities, companies and private groups. They strive to change people’s lives through the delivery of outdoor activity and ensure positive outcomes for all. www.challengethewild.com

Challenge The Wild is run by Dan Searson. Dan has spent the past twenty years exploring the outdoors, is a qualified Mountain Leader and Event Manager. During his ten-year military career, as an Officer in the Regular Army, he was deployed to Bosnia, Kenya and Iraq and led expeditions to the Pyrenees, Machu Picchu and Mount Kenya. Since returning to civilian life, Dan has led challenges around the world and has planned bespoke events for some of the UK’s largest charities and companies. He also has vast experience in working with young adults, having delivered events to numerous colleges, youth groups and government agencies.

Dan is supported by a team of highly qualified instructors. They have a background in event management, outdoor delivery and working across different sectors. They are excellent communicators and hold all the required qualifications needed to work at the highest level.

The Programme

The Independent Together Adventure Camp is an exhilarating and uplifting outdoor adventure open to young adults. Under the watchful eye of the highly-trained team, participants will be encouraged and empowered as they take on a series of challenges, specially designed to develop life skills. Before they know it, they’ll be facing fears and achieving more than they ever believed they could.

Challengers will be able to experience activities such as waterfall jumping, canyoning, rock scrambling, big abseils and survival skills; as well as learning how to problem solve, set goals for the future, deliver presentations and live a healthy lifestyle. And as it’s a three day event, there will be the chance to sleep under the stars, learn to cook and live in the outdoors and spend time with like minded people around a traditional campfire.

Young Adults will achieve the following positive outcomes:

• enjoy participating and reflecting in outdoor activities and adopt a positive attitude to challenge and adventure
• enhance their overall well-being by gaining personal confidence and developing character and resilience through taking on challenges
and achieving success
• developing their self-awareness and social skills, and their appreciation of the contributions and achievements of themselves and of others
• becoming alive to the natural local and global environment and understand the importance of conservation and sustainable development
• acquiring and developing a range of skills in outdoor activities, fieldwork, exploration, journeys and expeditions
• demonstrating increased initiative and innovation, enthusiasm, curiosity, self-reliance, responsibility, perseverance, tenacity and commitment
• developing and extending their key skills of communication, problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, leadership and co-operation
• learning to appreciate the benefits of physical activity and the lifelong value of participation in healthy leisure activities and reflection
• displaying an increased motivation and appetite for self-directed learning that is contributing to raised levels of attainment in other aspects of their development, as well as becoming concerned, responsible and fulfilled citizens
• broadening their horizons and becoming open to a wider range of employment opportunities and life chances
• providing the opportunity to mentor future participants, assist in instruction and develop leadership skills further

OUR VISION

To provide a range of high-quality services to Looked After Children who are Leaving Care, enabling young people to learn, develop and reach their full potential. To be involved in the design and delivery of services and ensure services meet the needs of the young people.

OUR ETHOS

We firmly believe that every child has the right to be supported into successful transition from childhood to adulthood regardless of their background or circumstances. This support must be tailored, and person centred in order to respond to the young person’s changing needs, yet have consistency in the carer that builds the relationship with the young person on the foundations of trust.

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY	FAIRNESS	RESPECT	COMPASSION
DIGNITY	ENPOWERMENT	COLLABORATION	RESPONSIBILITY

OUR SUPPORTED LIVING HOMES

We currently have two Group Living homes in Bury and Tameside. Both properties would fall under Category Two. All our homes are fully modernised and completely refurbished, with a fully equipped staff office, spacious fully furnished double bedrooms that can be decorated to the bespoke needs of each individual, and well-appointed communal areas. All homes have a state-of-art CCTV systems in all outside areas to ensure the safety of residence and staff.

SUPPORTED ACCOMODATION

We currently have three supported accommodation properties one in Salford, one in Stockport and one in Tameside. All properties are under Category one. All our homes are fully modernised and completely refurbished, with every new placement. They are fully equipped  to  the  specification  required  in  the Accommodation Standards.

ACCOMODATION STANDARD

Independent Together ensures that all their supported accommodation is in a good location and suitable for the category it is placed in. Support and Maintenance Manager complete a locality risk assessment when a new property is of interest. To ensure the following standards are met.

1. Can provide stability and consistency with accommodation and support staff. Having a long lease on a property is imperative.
2. Good access to local services e.g., education and healthcare
3. Finding local activities within the community to engage them in a sense of belonging.

Independent Together employ a maintenance team to ensure the supported accommodation is always at an excellent standard. All emergency work is carried out within 6 hours or immediately if the safe and well-being is at harm. We have an on-call system for maintenance emergencies. The maintenance team ensure all health and safety and fire risk assessments are continuously up to date and relevant for the particular provision.

Independent Together uses monitoring and surveillance for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting welfare of children. Independent Together has these devices on the communal areas outside and the entrances to the property. Independent Together has a policy in place for monitoring and surveillance and the young people living in the supported accommodation are aware the monitoring and surveillance is no more intrusive than needed, protecting their privacy.

All Independent Together supported accommodation provide young people with their own bedroom, which is spacious, we provide bedroom furniture, new double bed with duvet, bedding, towels, and toiletry pack. The kitchen will have all white goods, equipment, and food hamper. The living room will be furnished and access to Wi-Fi. Our properties are of excellent standard and secure. Levels of insurance is in place to cover all aspects of the provision of supported accommodation.

Independent Together provide the young people with a Placement Agreement and Welcome Pack which outlines their entitlements, rights, the terms and conditions of the supported accommodation. There is also full explanation of the right to complain, which include the persons who they can complain to, e.g., Support Worker on shift, Key Worker, Support Manager, Operational Director, Social Worker, Other Professionals are listed.  Also, an anonymous Complaint letter with a stamped addressed envelope to the head office is supplied. There is also information on the local Advocacy and Safeguarding team should they feel they need to speak to an independent person.

PLACEMENT PROCESS

Our Support Manager, AnnMarie (Bachelors in Education with Honors, L4 in Health & Social Care) carefully assesses each referral request, conducts a risk assessment related to the young person’s needs and reviews accommodation availability including suitability match with existing young people in our homes, we inform the social worker which area other young people are from and the contact details of their social worker to ensure there is no previous issues between young people, before we make a placement offer.

We use the referral to also consider any of their special needs - e.g. interpreter, Makaton, cultural, religious needs and access to specialised learning or support groups.

Each young person has a designated Key Worker and support staff to help them achieve their own aspirations and ambitions through education, training and lifelong learning. Helping them develop life skills to live independently.

LEVEL OF SUPPORT

The level of support will depend solo on the young person’s needs and risks around the support. Independent Together has a team of Operations Director, Support Manager, Key Worker, Team Leader, Senior Support Workers, Support Workers, Finance, Admin and Maintenance. Our success, passion and commitment require us to always provide the highest standards of support, and to consistently encourage the development of opportunities for our young people, and our skilled, dedicated staff team. Our supported living service is managed by a team of professionals with over 40 years’ experience in this field. Our support packages ranges from:

• High support staffed
• Staffed 24/7 supported accommodation provisions.
• Supported accommodation provisions.
• Outreach work
• Emergency 24hr referrals
  
  
  

 

THERAPEUTIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

We have access to several therapeutic interventions that aim to provide psychological assessment and therapeutic support for young people with complex and challenging needs. This therapy takes an integrative approach, ensuring that all young people get the right support, at the right time, using the right therapeutic approaches.

We also use the BERRI assessment tool throughout young people’s time in our care, providing us with reliable outcome metrics that enable us to evidence the difference our support is making to their lives. It focuses on the following areas of development: Behaviour, Emotional wellbeing, Risk  (to  self  and others),  Relationships,  and  Indicators  (of psychiatric or neuro developmental conditions). BERRI identifies needs and tracks progress in complex young people, provides a measure of efficacy, targets and tracks specific concerns we may be working on, and provides overview measurable data about each young person.

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Our staff apply a strengths-based person-centred approach when working with all our young people. This enables our young people to develop knowledge, skills, confidence to make informed decisions, and manage the support and care they may require.

Young people's characteristics and needs that Independent Together can accommodate:

• Males and females aged 16 to 25 years old. 
• Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC).
• Young people who experience emotional behavioural difficulties.
• Young people that are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
• Young people involved in crime, conduct disorder, and anti-social behaviour.
• Young people leaving prison, secure unit, on TAG.
• Young people who require support with their independent living skills.
• Young people who require close supervision, monitoring and significant support.
• Young mother's and baby, young families.

When placing within our supported accommodation homes, we specially focus our work with young people on the following areas:

• The provision of high-quality accommodation in both staffed and unstaffed accommodation, according to the young person’s needs and the requirements of the local authority.
• The development of service plans with the young person as part of a wider person-centred planning process.
• Home care skills (e.g. cooking, shopping).
• Budgeting skills and financial
• Promotion of Education, we do this by working with the young person and finding out what they are interested in. We encourage going to college, however, if they are not ready, we will complete eLearning courses.
• Offering of an apprenticeship or work. Independent Together have working relationships with employers who can offer apprenticeships and work.
• Physical health, including diet and exercise independent staff are happy to attend the gym with young people. Young people and staff get a free pass at most Local Authority Fitness Centre
• Exploring, researching, and accessing educational or work opportunities.
• Challenging anti-social behaviour through the use of restorative practice techniques, and by encouraging the young person to reflect on their behaviour from the perspective of significant others.
• Managing and developing personal relationships, both formal and informal.
• Developing key life skills in literacy, numeracy, and Information technology.
• Offering specialist counselling and therapeutic care if required.
• Fully preparing young people for their ‘move on’ to independent living at 18 years of age by helping them bid for and secure appropriate accommodation, and support with managing any benefits applications.
• Providing post ‘move on’ support by arranging regular meetings with young people after they have left our care, to provide them with additional advice and support.

Young people have entitlements from the Local Authority a as Care Leaver. This information can be accessed at entitlements: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1051441/ CA1989_Transitions_Guidance.pdf

Independent Together supported accommodation offers a variety of entitlements for their young people to ensure their well-being, development and access to necessary services.

These entitlements include safe and suitable accommodation, Personal Support, Emotional and Mental Health Support, Education and Training, Health and Well-being, Personal Development, Support Networks and Relationships, Advocacy and Rights, Transition Planning, Confidentiality and Privacy.

There are many young people that go through extremely difficult experiences and challenges, and often display risky behaviour. It is our role to support young people through these experiences and challenges by offering the following:

• Support to develop consequential thinking.
• Working in partnership with YOT and other agencies.
• Support with reducing substance or alcohol abuse.
• Support with family relationships.
• Work around young people suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Support with asylum applications and other legal matters.
• Gang awareness and intervention.
• Support with reducing risky behaviour that could lead to exploitation.
• Support with managing ADHD, Autism, and other behavioural developmental diagnoses

 

The majority of our outcomes fall within the dimensions of the Assessment Framework.

Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment Home Office

RELIGION AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

We respect our young people's wish to engage in religious instruction and observance, and birthdays, and we will always provide celebrations/parties for all young people. This

includes purchasing gifts, food, and all supplies required for the celebrations.

We provide information on places of worship in the local area. We use a translator application to unsure we are able to communicate with all our young people and their views, needs and requirements are met. Independent Together has good relationships with local educational center and colleges to ensure ESOL courses can be applied for and further education can be visited.

We will ensure any dietary needs are met, this information is requested and referral stage so the food will be correct when the young person moves into their new home.

We also arrange outside trips, which include trips to the seaside, theme parks, bowling, cinema, Go Karting, and much more. All expenses are courtesy of Independent Together.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

We have various systems in place to assist with setting and achieving targets, reviewing performance, and putting action plans in place to continually improve the quality of service and support delivered to all our young people.

We follow a strengths-based person-centred approach ensuring that the young person’s voice is heard and listened to. Working with the young person and their social worker, we will develop an Individual Support Plan which is tailored to the individual needs of the young person. Each Individual Support Plan is to be reviewed by the young person, their social worker, and Independent Reviewing Officer within 6 weeks of their placement, and then on a 6-monthly basis or if there is any significant change which needs to be reflected on the Individual Support Plan. This is to ensure that all previously identified needs are being met and any newly identified requirements or changes in circumstances are taken into account when revising the plan.

We also believe it is extremely important that all our young people are able to express any feelings or

concerns they may have via a secure channel. Therefore, we have created a confidential suggestions, thoughts, and feelings mailbox which they can use to share any feedback they may have.

regarding their placement, or anyone in it. They are also encouraged to provide consultation during sessions with their Key Worker and Home Manager.

Security and protection of sensitive information is also key for us, so we are pleased to use our Independent Together App. It is specifically designed for our company and provides us with a secure solution to manage data, case files, reports, and immediate access to our tailored Key.

Performance Indicators. This allows us to operate and deliver our services in a more efficient and timely manner.

ANTI DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE

As a pioneering organisation that strives to create an inclusive and anti-discriminatory environment within the leaving care sector. As a prominent advocate for the rights and well- being of young people, Independent Together is committed to challenging discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for all individuals transitioning from care to independent living.

In the leaving care sector, discrimination can manifest in various forms, but not limited to race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background. We recognise that these forms of discrimination can have a profound impact on young people, affecting their access to education, employment, housing, and other essential services.

To  address  these  challenges,  Independent Together implements a multifaceted approach that involves raising awareness, providing support, and working collaboratively with young people, local authorities, and other stakeholders. Here are some key aspects of their anti-discriminatory practice:

1. Advocacy and Representation: Independent Together actively campaigns for the rights and needs of young people, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences are taken into account when shaping policies and practices in the leaving care sector.
2. Training and Education: The organisation provides training sessions to young people, and staff involved in the leaving care sector. These sessions  aim to  increase  awareness about discrimination, promote empathy, and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to challenge discriminatory practices.
3. Support Services: Independent Together offers a range of support services tailored to the specific needs of young people. They address issues such as mental health, education, employment, housing, and access to healthcare, ensuring that young people receive the necessary support to overcome barriers created by discrimination.

4. Collaborative Partnerships: The organisation actively collaborates with local authorities, charities, and community organisations to develop comprehensive strategies that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the leaving care sector. By fostering partnerships, Independent Together works towards creating a cohesive support network for young people.

5. Research and policy development Independent Together conducts research to identify the systematic barriers and discriminatory practices that impact young people. This research is used to inform policy development, recommending changes that can improve outcomes for young people and create a fairer leaving care system.

Through their commitment to anti-discriminatory practices, Independent Together plays a vital role in advocating for the rights of young people and striving for a more equitable leaving care sector. By challenging discrimination, raising awareness, and providing support, we contribute to creating a society where young people can thrive and fulfill their potential, regardless of their background or identity.

WORKFORCE

Employees are the most important asset in delivering high quality care. In addition to the mandatory training that is essential for the company to run safely and  efficiently,  staff’s  continual  professional development is a high priority for Independent Together in order to go ‘Beyond Compliance’.

We aim to have a culture in which workplace activities are  valued  for  their  learning  potential, and encourage all employees to take advantage of training opportunities. Some training will be dictated by statutory and mandatory requirements in relation to Health and Safety laws, Safeguarding, and the requirement of regulatory bodies e.g. Fire Training, Basic Life Support etc.

The training team at head office will ensure that staff are supported and trained to manage their caseload. We ensure through monthly supervision and an ‘open door’ policy that the staff member is effectively receiving regular training in a variety of methods to ensure successful delivery of the learning.

All staff receive Mandatory training and additional specific training to meet specific training needs, including:

• NVQ Level 3/4/5 in Health and Social Care
• Safeguarding L2 and L3
• Equality and Diversity
• First Aid
• Radicalisation and Extremism
• Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
• Report Writing and Recording
• Health and Safety Level 2
• Self-Harming Behaviours
• General Data Protection
• Child Protection
• Safeguarding Young People with Learning Disabilities
• Substance and alcohol misuse
• Staff boundaries and safer caring
• Managing risk
• Understanding and mitigating gang related activity and ‘County Lines’
• Cyber bullying, e-protection
• Child exploitation training; sexual, criminal, financial and Modern Slavery 
• Sexual health and personal health Child and adolescent development training, related to preparation for independence and the transition to adulthood (leaving care).

All our staff are recruited within a Safer Recruitment Framework and have a current enhanced DBS check. Independent Together register every staff member on the Update Service.

All our staff are required to be trained in a(NVQ) Level 3 or equivalent, all Managers are required to be trained to QCF (NVQ) 5 or equivalent.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Independent Together has a robust comprehensive set of policies and procedures that support best practice and legislative requirements. These are reviewed regularly to enable updates and ensure compliance.

A copy of our Young Peoples Guide is also given to every new young person upon arrival at their new home. The guide contains all the key things that every young person needs to know about so that they can make informed decisions about their supported accommodation  living  placement.  This  includes our core values, rules and procedures, and rights and responsibilities for young people. Our staff take them  through  the  guide  to  ensure  that  they understand all the rules and policies.

Staff have access to all policies, including Safeguarding, Child Protection and MFH 24/7. They are accessible via the Independent Together App and HR Breathe.

HOW TO MAKE A REFERRAL

A referral must be made via email to our Director at k.s.robinson@i2gether.org.uk. If the referral is initially made by phone call, this must be followed up on the referral request form which we will email to you.

The referral request must be fully completed with a copy of the recent Risk Assessment and any other Assessments or relevant information.

Independent Together will then conduct a risk assessment and placement match for the young person being referred to us. The aim is to establish any possible causes for concern based upon information available at the time of referral.

Independent Together will respond within two hours, if not immediately to acknowledge receipt of referral and identify whether we feel we are able to meet the young person’s needs or not. If we are unable to meet the needs, we will advise the reasons why in writing, and the referral will be closed.

Referrals made through Dynamic Purchasing System or Flexible Purchasing System:

We will receive an email notification that our service has been chosen and details of our homes that have been selected will be displayed.

We can then access the information on the site and download the referral and risk assessment.

Placement risk assessment and matching process will be carried out and an offer will be made if applicable. If we are not able to offer a placement there are options to select according to the reasons for rejection.

Affordable Accommodation for Young Adults

While local authority housing teams will be the first point of contact for young people at risk of homelessness, we can aid these teams in finding suitable accommodation, liaising with landlords, and negotiating long-term lease agreements.

Homelessness is a national crisis, and it continues to grow, with many young people now affected by it.

Independent Together finds and manages affordable accommodation for young adults in the Greater Manchester area.

To help people find places to live, we work with:

• local authorities;
• other agencies and professionals;
• landlords.

We help join the dots between agencies, providers and other interested parties, so that vulnerable young people who need help will be the ones who benefit.

However, support for vulnerable young adults means more than offering them a roof over their heads.

Assisting people who might otherwise feel excluded, or unable to make their own, way in life independently means helping them build the necessary structures in their lives to give them stability.

We keep accommodation as close to the service user’s established support networks as possible

Mentoring for Independent Living and Life Skills

• In addition to finding 16-25 year olds accommodation, we support them by encouraging them to develop the life skills they need.
• Each of them may have specific needs and concerns, so we ensure the support we offer is tailored to fit them.
• The mentoring we provide centres around practical issues and life skills such as:
• We provide structured support while helping individuals develop and work towards their own goals and objectives, so that, ultimately, they can take control of their own lives with confidence.
• providing close support to young adults and bolstering this with the development of independent life skills.

Contact Independent Together for more information about accommodation and

• managing finances and benefits, and household budgeting;
• how to be a tenant;
• dealing with correspondence;
• accessing education and training;
• living skills such as cooking and grocery shopping; and
• building self-confidence, resilience and relationships.

mentoring for young adults in the Greater Manchester area