Case studies
We are grateful to our clients for allowing us to share their experiences with you. We respect the right of our clients to a confidential service. Names and other personal information have been changed.
Tom's story
Tom, aged 17, was a client of both the Youth Offending Service and the Leaving Care Team. When he was referred to us, he was about to be released to ‘No Fixed Abode’ (NFA) and was facing multiple legal issues for drug-related crimes.
As part of our support package, we compiled a report for court and proposed a care plan as an alternative to custody, which was agreed by the judge. Tom has maintained accommodation in the private rental sector and begun to address his drug addiction. At the time of writing, he is due to undertake a training placement.
Steve's story
Steve, aged 24, has a learning disability and mental health problems. When we started working with him, he had a drug addiction and was street homeless. In the previous two years he had received eleven custodial sentences and he was scheduled to appear in court yet again for a past offence. We advocated on his behalf in court and worked with the Thames Valley Probation Service to compile a plan of support that would provide an alternative to a custodial sentence. Steve received a one-year Thames Valley Probation supervision order. To date, he is meeting the requirements of the order.
Sam's story
We first met 33-year-old Sam in prison, where she was serving a sentence for grievous bodily harm. Many of her past offences had been for violence or possession of Class C drugs. She had been abused as a child, and had a history of self-harm and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. She found it difficult to establish and sustain trusting relationships, and was contemptuous of service agencies…