We are introducing a multi-agency Placement Panel to enable greater challenge and more consistent decision making and we have amended the timescale for reviews to increase opportunities for challenge by Independent Reviewing Officers. Young People as Service Users We met with a group of young service users, over the age of 16 in December 2016 where we talked about their experiences of council services up to know and in particular we talked about Good experiences Not so good experiences What would you like to see in any new services that are developed We talked about placements, foster, residential and independent living. There was a consensus that more choice as to what type and location of placement would be welcome. It was commented, a choice” “We don’t get was taken straight to a placement from know where I was “I hospital I didn’t going” was moved miles away from “I my family”. with other young “We don’t get matched people” would like an area that is near my “I Nana” should have a “We choice” to live in the “I want west end” However there was an understanding that on occasion, placements had to be made for reasons of safety and urgency and that good outcomes can still be achieved. It was commented, I was taken to an old boring cold which was having a loft conversion mind it was an emergency admission”. want any young person to go into a secure unit you lose too much “I don’t your freedom friends family etc.” did have a great placement out of Newcastle which was “I great” took a flat as I was desperate but it in the area I wanted, I took it “I wasn’t and now I have moved into my house which is lush I love it “. flat I was offered by 16+ was “The great.” We talked about information on placements. More information on a placement and a better explanation of rules and expectations would be welcome. It was commented, will help or some information on the “A picture placement.”
We are introducing a multi-agency Placement Panel to enable greater challenge and more consistent decision making and we have amended the timescale for reviews to increase opportunities for challenge by Independent Reviewing Officers. Young People as Service Users We met with a group of young service users, over the age of 16 in December 2016 where we talked about their experiences of council services up to know and in particular we talked about Good experiences Not so good experiences What would you like to see in any new services that are developed We talked about placements, foster, residential and independent living. There was a consensus that more choice as to what type and location of placement would be welcome. It was commented, “We don’t get a choice” “I was taken straight to a placement from hospital I didn’t know where I was going” “I was moved miles away from my family”. “We don’t get matched with other young people” “I would like an area that is near my Nana” “We should have a choice” “I want to live in the west end” However there was an understanding that on occasion, placements had to be made for reasons of safety and urgency and that good outcomes can still be achieved. It was commented, I was taken to an old boring cold which was having a loft conversion mind it was an emergency admission”. “I don’t want any young person to go into a secure unit you lose too much your freedom friends family etc.” “I did have a great placement out of Newcastle which was great” “I took a flat as I was desperate but it wasn’t in the area I wanted, I took it and now I have moved into my house which is lush I love it “. “The flat I was offered by 16+ was great.” We talked about information on placements. More information on a placement and a better explanation of rules and expectations would be welcome. It was commented, “A picture will help or some information on the placement.”