Our Ambition
The Rusa Care model has 4 phases which we believe will make a significant difference to the experience for young people leaving care.
Each of our phases will be subject to evaluation by our research partner, to build a robust evidence base to help inform central Government in establishing standards of care for supported accommodation and delivering care in an innovative way to children and young people aged 14 and older who live in children’s homes.
Throughout all phases the young people will keep their key workers, so that although young people will move through the various homes of Rusa Care, they will have adults who know them well and continue to work with them. Young people can access any or all of the phases appropriate to their needs and age.
Phase 1
This will offer a new model of care for looked after children aged 14 and older. This will only be operational once we get DfE / Ofsted dispensation to operate in this way.
We are hoping to offer this phase in the next 6 months.
Phase 2
This is our current provision of shared accommodation homes. Our provision offers an appropriate adult living in each home to ensure safety of the home and young people. These homes will start to prepare young people aged 18 for taking on responsibilities for living independently. We are set up to cater to high support needs if required which we refer to as supported accommodation "plus".
Phase 3
This consists of young people living in shared houses or flats without any staff living in. This phase will see young people taking on increased responsibilities for being financially independent and being in employment as they are ready for this independence.
Phase 4
A community hub which is a hybrid space offering activities for the community such as a cafe, swop shop, art classes, book clubs and support groups.
The community hub will be registered to provide vocational qualifications. Young people at Rusa will become involved in the community hub as their place of employment which will offer them the chance to gain qualifications.
