 Manchester Youth Offending Service was a pilot YOS for this YJB Initiative.
RAP offers effective through care and resettlement, which is
critical to achieving and sustaining, improved outcomes for young
people with substance misuse issues. The provision works alongside
the young person’s Statutory Order received when they are convicted
of an offence and comprises:
- Engagement of young people with substance misuse problems,
in custody and the community
- Providing a high level of support for young people on community
sentences or the community element of a custodial order.
- Providing up to six months’ support after their sentence.
The core RAP provision offers up to 25 hours of planned support
and activities each week, on a voluntary basis, including:
- Ongoing access to substance misuse and mental health treatment
- Support to access accommodation
- Education training and employment
- Positive use of leisure time
- Peer and family support work.
HOW DOES MANCHESTER RAP ACHIEVE THIS?
Ongoing access to substance
misuse and mental health treatment
RAP in Manchester works very closely in partnership with the
Eclypse Young people’s substance misuse service. All RAP young
people are able to access the support they need regarding drugs
and alcohol from Eclypse workers who see young people both
at the YOS and in the community. Young people with Mental Health
needs are referred to the Children and Mental Health Panels,
which meet at the YOS three times per month. Spanning these
two areas, RAP funds a fairly unique Dual Diagnosis post, which
is based within the Eclypse Service. This worker specialises
in engaging with young people who have both substance misuse
and mental health needs. In addition, RAP young people have
access to a Reflexology Service.
Support to access accommodation
The RAP ‘Flexible Funds’ provided by the YJB and intended specifically to meet a wide variety of young people’s needs including accommodation. The team has a dedicated accommodation worker who’s role is to support young people regarding accommodation by helping them to accommodation, provide ‘bonds’ for flats and purchase furniture for unfurnished accommodation. The worker also provides ongoing support to young people to ensure that they are able to cope in their independent accommodation and maintain their tenancies. In addition Manchester RAP funds a placement with the De Paul Trust, an accommodation provider for young people. This guarantees a place within the provider at any time as well as direct referral rights to any other places available. Young people have a 12-week programme, which equips them with skills to secure their own tenancies, or shared accommodation at the end of that period. Manchester RAP is planning in 2008 to develop three dedicated ‘emergency’ accommodation placements.
Education training and employment
Manchester RAP is creating training placements for young people to ensure that they have the skills they need in order to find work. Mentors are to be introduced into each YOS Locality team in order to work with young people on their employability skills. In addition the newly formed Interventions and Programmes Team within which RAP is located are devising specific programmes for RAP clients.
Positive use of leisure time
 Manchester City RAP encourage young people, to make good use
of their leisure time and promotes a healthy lifestyle including
awareness sessions around health, sexual heath, positive relationships
and self esteem. RAP funds a Positive Futures Worker post within
Manchester City Council and this means that young people are
able to undertake sports and leisure activities. The following
are some of the activities that RAP young people have taken part
in: Graffiti Art Workshops, DJ Workshops, Sports, and Outdoor
Pursuits. In addition the newly formed ISSP/RAP Intervention
Team will now provide amongst other things; leisure activities
and life skills group work. RAP Mentors work alongside young
people to support them in setting and working towards, personal
targets. These might be sporting targets, staying out of trouble,
getting a job or anything else that improves a young person’s
opportunities.
Peer and family support work.
If a young person is not getting along with their family, or if a parent or carer is finding it hard to deal with their son or daughter, the Youth Offending Service Parenting Workers can offer support and advice in resolving issues. Young people who have experienced RAP themselves are being encouraged to become ‘peer mentors’ and positive role models for other young people. It is hoped that more young people will get involved in this area and use their experiences to assist others in reducing their substance misuse and offending behaviour.
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