The Enhanced Support Team (EST)
has developed to meet the needs of medium to high support service users as a transition service to independent living in the local community
The EST currently works with Service Users with a range of complex needs and risk behaviours including:
- social and communication difficulties
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- emotional & psychological difficulties
- oppositional and inappropriate behaviour
- anger and mental health needs
The support packages provided by the EST include independent living skills programmes that are tailor-made to meet the individual’s needs in preparation for independent living. They involve a detailed assessment process to identify needs and to develop a support plan to outline how these needs are best going to be met. Monitoring and evaluation of support services offered are reviewed on a continual basis.
The EST incorporates a unique blend of professional and skilled staff.
The team leader is a registered Social Worker with experience in:
- statutory and residential social work
- working with disabled children and families
- young people with challenging behaviour and specific learning difficulties including Autistic Spectrum Disorders
The Specialist Practitioner is experienced in
- forensic psychology
- assessment
- cognitive and behavioural work with adolescents and adults
The support team is also experienced and skilled in
- addiction and substance abuse
- learning disabilities
- IT
- use of music, story, and role-play to promote social and communication skills
This combination of skills provides a professional and creative approach to promoting independence for young adults with complex needs.
The Enhanced Support Team
What People Say About the EST
“The best aspect of the EST was the advocacy for my client. The team brought a fresh perspective to the work and presented ideas that always centred on the client’s needs and interests.”
Connexions Personal Advisor
“…the different team members offer varied strengths, which they can use for information-gathering and sharing. Their commitment to clients is evident – a good mix of professionalism and warmth.”
Speech & Language Therapist
“[Clients like] the good support they receive - staff go out of their way to help. They keep trying, no matter what.’
Adult Learning Inspectorate
“I have found the EST a most professional organisation to work with. They have the very best interests of their clients at heart.”
Adult Protection Manager
“The EST have helped me to have stability in my life [and] help me persevere when I would otherwise give up.”
Service User
“[The EST provided] positive transition that promotes independence while still providing a level of support for a vulnerable young person.”
School Registrar