ABOUT US
Brighter Stays Supported Accommodation is a leading provider of semi-independent housing and support for young people leaving care. With 20+ years’ experience in delivering services for care leavers and other disadvantaged teenagers, we have a proven track record of offering high-quality and flexible services for both care leavers and their commissioning local authority.
At Brighter Stays, we're dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for both young people and staff. We deeply care about each individual who joins our homes and strive to demonstrate this through proactive and nurturing approaches. With diverse backgrounds and skills among our team, we enrich the lives of our residents.
Our goal is to equip young people with essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and communication, while fostering a sense of community and belonging. We aim to support them in taking the next steps toward independence, surrounded by a caring and skilled team.
Ultimately, we aim to empower our young residents to achieve their full potential and lead meaningful lives. Our home provides a nurturing space where experiences are shared, and guidance is provided by our experienced practitioners in a non-judgmental manner, fostering learning, growth, and acceptance. This prepares them to build stability, confidence, and resilience for the future.
What to expect at our homes
Non ring fenced, shared accommodation – Both homes are designed to accommodate up to 3 young people.
Brighter Stays provides a distinctive living arrangement for young adults aged 16 and above, offering a shared home environment tailored to support their transition into adulthood. Our aim is to cultivate a nurturing space where individuals from varied backgrounds can flourish.
At Brighter Stays, we prioritise the development of essential life skills necessary for independent living. Our dedicated team of experienced staff works closely with each resident to foster self-reliance, self-care, and decision-making abilities. Through personalised support plans, we address the unique needs and aspirations of every individual, empowering them to pursue their desired pathways with confidence.
By offering high-quality accommodation and comprehensive support, Brighter Stays endeavours to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of adulthood and build a successful future.
Our Aims:
To provide a safe and enjoyable environment for young people, in which young people feel comfortable and proud to call their own.
Offer levels of support which can be increased and decreased, as required and in consultation with the placing authority to meet individual needs, especially for young people with learning disabilities and/or disabilities.
Assess and document every aspect of the young person’s daily living to establish their level of independence and what areas require support to develop.
To offer exemplary support to young people based upon the foundations of best practice.
Provide key working sessions to help young people build up skills in areas that require extra provision/support until a safe level of independence is achieved.
To assist young people to achieve positive change and reach their full potential.
To offer a high-quality service enabling young people to either return to family living as soon as possible or live more independently to prepare for adulthood
The Support We Provide:
Accessing local community resources
Accessing and registering with health services
Self-care skills
Independent living skills
Healthy living skill and support
Education, training and employment
Time with family
Mental health and wellbeing
Religious and cultural needs
Substance misuse support
Self-harm and safety
Positive behaviour management
Reduction in offending
Financial well-being skills.
Obtaining independent accommodation
Accessing and maintaining a tenancy
The homes are staffed around the clock, with a management on-call system available for advice or rapid response when needed. Our dedicated and experienced team is suitably qualified to support young people in living fulfilling lives. We ensure that sleeping-in or night staff are always available to offer support if required, maintaining appropriate staffing ratios aligned with individual care plans and support needs.
Our approach is tailored to each individual, allowing our staff to collaborate with the young person's network systematically. We work closely with families, local authorities, and other agencies involved in their care, setting goals and providing support to help them reach their full potential at their own pace.
We have a tailored UASC service which includes other elements of support, which we believe these young people need:
Education/English Language/lessons enrolment
Bio metric enrolment and Home Office screening
NHS registration/immunisation program
Initial health assessments
Establishing legal representation/Asylum
application and Home Office interview support
Social and cultural awareness/support with religious and cultural needs
Outcomes:
Private bedrooms, each single occupancy, with either an ensuite or shared bathroom, fully functional communal kitchen, with white goods, garden area with patio, internet, games, access to laptop, computer, desk and chair for bedroom area and soft furnishing that complement the room. We encourage our young people to personalise their room so that they take ownership of their personal space.
ACCOMMODATION
Brighter Stays operates two welcoming houses specifically designed to accommodate young care leavers aged 16 and above. These houses serve as more than just shelters; they are nurturing environments where residents can find solace and support as they navigate the transition into adulthood. Each house is meticulously crafted to foster a sense of safety and belonging. Offering emotional and psychological support.
HEALTH & CARE
Young residents benefit from easy access to essential healthcare services and amenities. Our homes are conveniently located near local GP practices, dental clinics, parks, and shops including a barber/hairdresser and Tesco. The nearby gym offers modern facilities and fitness classes, while various churches and mosques provide opportunities for community engagement and support in Cambridge.
FACILITIES
We offer comfortable and supportive accommodation tailored to the needs of young care leavers. Each resident enjoys the privacy of their own private bedroom, providing a personal sanctuary within our communal living environment. Our shared communal areas are thoughtfully designed to foster a sense of community and belonging, providing spaces for socializing, studying, and relaxation.
Staffing
The Service Manager and Nominated Individual hold ultimate responsibility for the operation and functionality of the home. Supporting them is a team comprising a Senior Support Worker, three Supported Accommodation Support Workers, and a Compliance/Recruitment staff member. Additionally, staff from various departments within our organization lend additional support to both adults and young people residing in the home, contributing to its overall functioning.
All our staff members possess up-to-date, enhanced DBS checks and receive formal supervision regularly. Supervision plays a vital role in ensuring that staff are aware of their expected contributions, both individually and as team members. This support is facilitated through individual performance and development plans. In addition to formal supervision sessions, our service manager or senior team members provide informal supervision as needed, further enhancing support and guidance for our staff.
The purpose of supervision:
Promote an honest working relationship
Ensure staff roles and responsibilities are clear
Develop an open culture which is supportive to all staff and encourages and motivates them
Enable staff to achieve the necessary skills to deliver good practice
Ensure the high standards of service to the young people are achieved, maintained and enhanced
Reflect on and improve practice
Develop a culture of equality
Further support is provided through weekly team meetings, which all staff are expected to attend and daily handovers. A management and senior staff will provide on-call support for out of hours emergencies and incidents.
Nominated Individual – Jess George
Registered Service Manager – Emmah Nyakurerwa
The registered provider is:
Brighter Stays Limited
Contact us
Phone:+44 1462 415552
Address: Brighter Stays Limited , Croft Chambers , 11 Bancroft , Hitchin , Hertfordshire , SG5 1JQ
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