What we do

Although many people may share common needs, no two individuals are the same. One might need to develop self-esteem whilst another may need to learn how to communicate effectively. Whatever the challenge, our objective is to give each person the opportunity to grow, learn and develop to reach their full potential.

Consequently, we place real importance on a person-centred, multi-disciplinary approach through service delivery in partnership with all stakeholders. Where appropriate, we encourage people to seek and maintain full-time employment and education, and to develop positive social networks.

Each individual is encouraged to develop appropriate life skills, whilst learning how to support themselves in their accommodation. If necessary, we accompany individuals to any appointments or other occasions where support is needed. Our team works with individuals to take more control and responsibility for their own lives as they grow in confidence and ability.

An example of the support planning process is as follows:

Assessment

We invite each potential customer to participate in an initial needs assessment that helps them to determine their aspirations and also assists us in developing the range of support required.

Action plan

Having identified specific needs and wishes, we facilitate a range of methods according to individual ability and preference, to enable each person to determine the way in which these goals should be met. We try to establish appropriate and realistic timescales in which these outcomes can be achieved and how the support should be delivered.

Support planning

Support plans are developed to provide structure and guidance for the individual, support workers and stakeholders in order to action the person-centred plan. Support is broken down into the fundamental areas of need, with specific goals identified on a short-, medium- and long-term basis.

Progress reports

It is important to maintain a formal record of the effectiveness of the support planning process. Reports are developed and are reflective documents that refer directly to the areas of work identified in the support plan. They also provide evidence-based reasoning as to the relative success or developments of each element within the plan. Importantly, the progress reports also identify the further areas of potential need and are used as a means to revise the support plan on an ongoing basis.

Life skills

One-to-one support is provided by named key workers, who assist their clients in the acquisition of a range of essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting and shopping, and encourage their clients to make their own decisions and choices. We work with people to address all aspects of their lives on the road to achieving their life goals.

Health services

We assist our customers in registering with necessary and appropriate health services and promote the importance of maintaining positive mental and physical health.

Education, training and employment

The team will discuss each person's aspirations and assist them in accessing suitable educational and employment opportunities. We help individuals with applications and attendance by accompanying them to college open days, enrolments and introductions to the workplace as required.

Financial management

All of our clients are given appropriate advice and assistance in claiming the benefits to which they are entitled. We help each person to develop their own budget plan to manage their income effectively and, as appropriate, support individuals in enhancing their income through a range of employment opportunities to minimise dependence on the benefits system.

Accessing additional services

Assistance is offered in accessing additional complementary services and support/guidance organisations, depending on each individual’s needs and wishes.

Every individual has the right to have access to a home they can call their own. Therefore, specialised support to facilitate this is of paramount importance. One Step at a Time is experienced in working with people who have the following needs:

• Young people in transition
• Semi-independent support for 16-18-year-olds leaving care
• Family support
• People with mental health needs
• People with physical disabilities
• People with behavioural needs
• People with a history of offending behaviour
• Asylum seekers
• Substance abuse
• Learning difficulties
• Autism and Aspergers

Young people in transition

We recognise that for many young people, the move from children's to adult social care services can be a daunting time. As such, we have developed transition services for 18-25-year-olds who require support to develop the skills and confidence to successfully maintain their own tenancy and live as independently as possible. Our transition services offer tailor-made support to ensure that each individual is aspiring to their own goals within timescales based within their own capabilities. Goals set are achievable and exciting whilst offering a challenge that is not discouraging.

We also assist Local Authorities in meeting their responsibilities as a corporate parent and work with Social Workers to implement each person's Pathway Plan.

Semi-independent support for 16-18-year-olds leaving care

OSAAT has provided semi-independent support services for 16-18-year-olds leaving care since our foundation, working with young people to prepare them for adulthood and the responsibilities of adult life. Our team helps with developing day-to-day practical living skills such as budgeting and meal preparation. Key workers also offer emotional support and assistance in understanding the roles and responsibilities of tenant and landlord, so that when the time comes, each young person is ready to maintain a positive lifestyle in adulthood.

We support young people in single occupancy services; however, we do advocate shared housing with on-site staffing so that each young person has access to a dedicated member of staff for day-to-day support needs at varying stages of their pathway to independence. Our methods are outcome-focused and work within the guidelines of the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters Agenda.

Family support

OSAAT provides focused, structured services to families and children experiencing difficult circumstances, who may need external support to tackle immediate and long-term issues affecting the stability of the family group. The intention is to complement the statutory services Local Authorities are responsible for, working with a range of professionals to minimise the impact of long-term dependency on social care.

People with mental health needs

We continually monitor each individual's mental health and work in partnership with social workers and care coordinators to implement each person's Care Plan. The people we support are accompanied to psychiatric/psychological appointments; we also link them in with relevant organisations, such as MIND, and assist them in the development of social and support networks. We actively encourage and facilitate the use of relevant health services.

People with physical disabilities

One Step at a Time supports and encourages the development of essential life skills, working in partnership with occupational therapists and other health professionals to help each individual live a fulfilling life within the community.

People with behavioural needs

Our approach is to assist each person in breaking destructive cycles of behaviour. Understanding their own feelings, managing their anger and raising self-esteem are the keys to enabling each person to communicate their needs, with a view to developing positive social inclusion and relationships.

People with a history of offending behaviour

As with people with behavioural needs, our approach is to assist each individual to understand and reflect on the impact to the community of offending behaviour, explore their own feelings and raise their self-esteem. In addition, we work in partnership with the person's youth offending worker or probation officer, liaise with their legal representatives and accompany them to court.

Asylum seekers

We assist asylum seekers in integrating into the community. Each person is supported to access a solicitor specialising in immigration law, who will help them through the asylum-seeking process. We also have good relationships with local colleges that teach English as a second language. Each individual's aspirations are encouraged, including maintaining links with their own ethnic community.

Substance abuse

The imperative is to address the substance abuse of each service user on a day-to-day basis and to link them in with agencies that provide appropriate professional support and assistance. We help in the monitoring and maintenance of community rehabilitation programmes.

Learning difficulties

Our aim is to facilitate the integration of each individual into the community and the workplace. To achieve this, we address their educational, training and other needs, in order to help them progress to college or employment if applicable. We also assist and help the individual to develop their own support and social networks in order to fully integrate into the community setting. OSAAT empowers people to live independently outside of the traditional boundaries of residential care. We are able to offer a full range of support to individuals who may have significant learning difficulties.

Autism and Aspergers

We recognise that people with Autism and Aspergers are likely to have some difficulties with communication and social interaction and often find the world an unpredictable and confusing environment. Many people may have particular intense interests, which can be channelled into highly positive activities. We adopt highly structured and considerate approaches in supporting people to identify and meet their goals.

Read about the One Step at a Time supported living programme.