Supporting People With Physical & Learning Disabilities And Mental Health: Innovation & Research
The CareTech Foundation supported Barnardo’s four-year development of the Journey app, aiming to increase the resilience of children and young people leaving care and increase the likelihood of employment, training or education.
We are delighted that, despite the challenges of the last two years, this is now able to be accessed by care leavers. The programme identified and engaged with a test group of 75 care leavers and care workers, reporting an 80% satisfaction with the prototype tool, and a 10% increase in ‘keeping in touch’ opportunities by care leavers.
This year has seen testing of the app among CareTech plc staff and young people – across 40 sites, with onboard training now taking place. Barnardo’s reports that they have had good feedback across different service types – with Leaving Care, Supported Lodgings, Employment & Training, Home Support Services, and Transitional Training flats all finding the Journey model a good fit. The final app was launched in 2022 as a commercial proposition within Barnardo’s, supporting young people in care while raising funds to support more young people. NHS have now expressed interest in broadening its reach.
Barnardo’s is always looking for innovative new ways to scale and improve the services we offer – through doing this we can reach and support more young people in need and help them get the best possible start to their independence. Barnardo’s are delighted to be working with the CareTech Foundation to make this happen.