Pathway to Independence Ltd was set up in 1999 by two social workers Blossom Cole and Pat Allem . The organisation specialises in providing support services to assist local authorities meet their statutory obligations as defined by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
As social workers with over 50 years experience between us we believe passionately that we could contribute positively to the lives of care leavers. At the time Pat was working for the Ealing Children Services and move from the Child Protection team to the Leaving Care team. She developed an interest in the quality of accommodation and the type of support offered to young people. As a Foster Carer for over 27 years, she was particularly keen to see an improvement of the tailor – made support services and accomodation offered to young people. It was very common for young people who moved to their own accommodation to face eviction, as they found it differcult to manage their tenancies and generally cope with the transition to independence.
For the most part providers provided a reasonable service though we felt we could make improvements. Blossom was working as a manager in fostering and adoption and experienced at first hand the gaps in young people’s independent living skills, and felt strongly that we could provide a much improved service, with young people at the heart of our philosophy.
We approached Ealing’s leaving care team, and was directed to the commissioning managers who interviewed us on a range of professional issues and topics. After much screening we were offered out first placement.
PTI has now worked with hundreds of young people and their families and can demonstrate a proven successful track record of working with children and families teams in Ealing, Harrow, Brent, Kensington & Chelsea and Spellthorne. We are presently working with some of the most vulnerable families in Ealing as part the Ealing Family Intervention Project (FIP).
Our overall purpose has always been to equip young people with the skills to build productive lives and the ability to make informed choices as they become more independent. We pride ourselves on our commitment and determination to help young people become valued members of their community by creating a ‘sense of belonging’ through social integration and access to meaningful occupation through training, employment and education.
Where appropriate, we work with estranged relatives to support care leavers reconnect with their families. We are persistent in supporting young people work towards these goals even in the most difficult and challenging circumstances.
We are a small dedicated team and believe every young person has the potential to achieve and develop positive fulfilling lives into adulthood.
PTI believes every young person has fundamental rights:
· Each young person has the right to feel safe
· To have a sense of their own identity
· To feel listened to
· To have their views and opinions validated
· The right to a home
· The right to education
· The right to healthcare
· To influence their own future
· To have access to professionals as and when needed
· The right to be empowered to enable informed decision making and better choices
Click here to find out more about the range of services we offer…