Introduction into The Rhema Projects: as part of our Support Plan the young people will be issued with a young person’s handbook which is translated into different languages on arrival and it will contain essential information about moving to the project and important information such as knowing what their rights are and how to make a complaint. It will also explain that they are entitled to an advocate and the young person will be supported in applying for one if they wish.

They will be provided with a ‘Who is Who’ booklet in their own language, Arabic, Farsi, Dhari, Sorani, Amharic, Pashto, Somali, Persian, French to name but a few assisting young people to understand the new people and professionals in their lives and helping them to settle in the UK. Staff are well versed about the home countries UAS come from and the issues they faced, leading them to seek refuge in the UK.

The young person will be allocated a keyworker who will stay with them until they leave The Rhema Projects, and will prepare them for independent living.

Health Assessments

Initial Health Assessments: the young person will be supported to attend an initial health assessment within 3 days, this will be to check on their health and wellbeing, any concerns or information will be passed on to the GP, support worker or social worker to support/action.

We also complete referrals for mental health support and psychotherapy sessions which benefits our young people to deal with PTSD and other mental health issues they may face.

Dentist Registration

Dentist registration: the young person will be supported in registering at a dentist within walking distance of their home. This will take place within 7 days of the young person being placed and an initial appointment for a check-up will be made.

Optician Registration

Optician registration: the young person will be supported in registering at an opticians within walking distance of their home. This will take place within 7 days of the young person being placed and an initial appointment for a check-up will be made.

Education or Training

Education or training: the young person will be supported by their  keyworker to explore their educational needs, their English speaking, listening and writing will be assessed and appropriate College provisions will be selected.

In house literacy and numeracy is also undertaken, along with staff run sessions to support with college homework, student/work placements, employment, devising CV’s, driving license preparation. Referrals to local and voluntary organisations are also made to support young people with education.

Appointments

Young people will be supported to Solicitor and Home Office appointments in their claim for Asylum. Fingerprinting, applications for ARC cards, travel documents are also applied for. Referrals to The Refugee Council and Red Cross are undertaken to promote the voice of the young person and to ensure they know their rights, family tracing.

A key worker or manager will attend Looked After Children Reviews, and all relevant appointments, liaising with professionals on behalf of the young person.

Support with religion

The Rhema Projects are keen to assist in meeting cultural and religious needs. Support with  religious beliefs – the young person will be supported to explore any religious beliefs, this will include locating religious places of worship such as local churches and mosques and being provided with religious necessities such as Bible or Quran and prayer mat.

Independent Skills

There are a range of independent living skills booklets to work from including translation into different languages to cater for young people whose first language is not English. This includes Arabic, Sorani, Farsi, Dhari, Amharic, French. Tenancy preparation booklets are undertaken at seventeen and a half to prepare young people to live independently at eighteen.

We also arrange for speakers to come into the young people’s home to provide talks about pertinent issues like sexual health, family tracing, mental health and wellbeing.

Support with activities/hobbies

The young person will be supported to follow their hobbies like attending the gym, playing football, basketball, wrestling, boxing club. There are also in-house activities like movie nights, board game/dominoes nights, and cook-in nights, swimming and day trips to the seaside, London, Alton Towers etc.. We also make referrals to NCS for a two week interactive holiday in the summer holidays which young people have thoroughly enjoyed.

TB Screening

TB Screenings: the young person will be supported to attend a local hospital for a TB screening which includes a discussion through an interpreter to discuss their travel and what countries they have come through on their journey; also to discuss previous health conditions if any.  A blood test will be taken and a chest X-ray, all results will be forwarded to GP and social worker.

Immunisations

Doctors registration/ immunisations: the young person will be supported in registering at a doctors surgery within walking distance of their home. This will take place within 7 days of the young person being placed.