‘Inside Out’ – Intensive Coaching Service for Young People in Care

‘Inside Out’ is a programme developed and delivered within Essex, Hertfordshire County Councils, which tested a new approach to improving outcomes and stability for looked after children in residential care, enabling them to either successfully ‘step down’ to less intensive care, or return home wherever appropriate and possible to prevent step-up of service and achieve stability. This could also include stability in foster care and semi-independent accommodation. The collaborating local authorities have secured funding to commission this programme for a 5 year contract. The provider will recruit and manage skilled coaches who will work intensively with young people on the programme, their families, lead social workers and placement teams, other agencies and the young person’s placement provider to effect change and create the conditions in which a young person can either return home, or move to a less intensive, sustainable placement or achieve stability in their current placement.