Introduction
I wanted to pull a Learning Bank article together to give everyone a bit of background after my meeting with Joanne Reidy earlier this week. Joanne is coming in to talk at one of our team meetings and rather than chat through individually what they do and who they support I thought it would be easier to put an article together for everyone to look at.
What happened?
Joanne Reidy who is the specialist area manager for unaccompanied Asylum seekers (UAS) for the ROC (Reach Out Care) group emailed asking to meet with TVS and find out a bit more about us and see if there was any ways we can work together around offering support for the children and young people they come into contact with.
Who was involved?
I arranged a meeting with Joanne at the office she is based, which is also where they have seven flats to use as accomodation for the UAS. The children and young people they support at the Billingham house are 16-18 year olds.
When?
We agreed Joanne would come into one of our team meetings (confirmed for 7th May) to talk to them team further about the work ROC do and discuss any potential further links and any potential contacts we can offer her. She is really keen to meet as many organisations as possible and see how the work can be connected. At the moment there are three UAS housed in their Billlingham residence, they have three further coming in next week and then will have one more spare flat. Currently they are working with Stockton Council who are identifying UAS who are suitable for their residence.
Why?
On the back of the work we did with Becky one of the areas we highlighted we don't do a huge amount of work with is people from different ethnic backgrounds and this seems a superb opportunity to try and help make a big difference in some young people's lives.
So?
UAS cannot work even on a voluntary basis unless they have been granted permission to work, so being able to try and sign post them to some community organisations / partners could be a really helpful starting point. Joanne has mentioned she is trying to get the UAS currently housed with them on a Middlesbrough College course, but unfortunately there are no possible entrance points until September.
One of my actions I took away from my meeting with Joanne was to try and create a list of some key contacts for her to go out and meet within the Billingham and Stockton area for organisations who may be able to offer some support to the UAS that come through their building. I have started doing this, but I would really appreciate people if you've any contacts or options please do reply with your thoughts.
Also - has anyone got a contact for anyone who works on the social worker course at the uni? Joanne asked if we could link them up to see if they could offer a student support worker work placement opportunity based at ROC.
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