Safe Steps Celebrates its First Big Step
04.11.09
Pathway Care - Wales leading independent foster care agency - has celebrated the first year of its Safe Steps transition programme for young people.
Aimed at getting vulnerable children out of long term residential care and into a stable and nurturing family environment, Safe Steps is the result of a unique partnership between Pathway Care and Gloucester based Marlowe Child & Family Services. It is a programme that secures improved outcomes for young people, whilst at the same time helping Local Authorities to achieve significant savings compared to the cost of residential care.
One of the pioneering users of this innovative service has been Neath Port Talbot CBC, which was quick to recognise the benefit of the Safe Steps programme. Senior Social Worker Helen Jarvis sees Safe Steps as a new and innovative service which she says: "for a lot of children this will be their only opportunity of living successfully within a family environment. Also, the outcomes can be seen in real savings to the local authority."
Safe Steps stepped onto the stage to celebrate the first year of operation with a high profile seminar at the recent National Children's Commissioning conference in Derbyshire. Safe Steps shared the successes of the first year of operation with an audience of senior managers drawn from Local Authorities in Wales and England.
Judith Rees, Business Development Director (Wales), commented, " It is gratifying that Safe Steps has already offered the chance of a better future to the young people who have been through the programme and that this has been recognised by the Local Authorities."
Pathway Care
Founded in 1996, the Pathway Care Group is one of the UK's leading independent fostering agencies, both in terms of the number of children we look after and the quality of care we provide for looked after children (including their physical & emotional health, education attainment and social / interpersonal skills).
We have a growing presence throughout the UK with offices in the South West of England, Avon, West and South East Wales, the Midlands and East of England. Currently we provide care for over 600 children.
Marlowe Child & Family Services
Is a well-established childcare organisation providing small, genuinely therapeutic residential homes, registered schools and therapeutic input for a wide variety of young people, 8 to 18+ years from centres in both Gloucestershire & Pembrokeshire.
For more information, contact Safe Steps:
Judith Rees, Business Development Manager, Pathway Care, Wales
Judith.rees@pathwaycare.org.uk Tel: 01267 290033
Steve Miller, CEO Marlowe
steve.miller@the-marlowe.co.uk Tel: 01452 700855
Or visit: www.safestepsfostercare.co.uk
Pathway Care
10, Village Way
Tongwynlais
Cardiff
CF15 7NE
