Alternative Approach believe all young people are entitled to a safe and comfortable place to call home. A home which will allow them to embrace their own identity, a home which will empower them to make positive decisions, a home which will provide unlimited access to resources and tools to develop their independence skills and a home which will provide security and warmth to support the emotional needs of each young person.
Alternative Approach started offering supported accommodation settings in October 2018 when we opened our first living home – Kirkland Park. This home was a catalyst for us opening more settings within the Liverpool City regions due to the demand for more homes to support our 16+ young people. We opened Moore Park (Solo Occupancy – Liverpool) in early 2019 which was our first solo occupancy provision, this provided our young people with a setting which provided more independence whilst still providing a robust structure of support to ensure all of the young people gained the skills required to live independently.
Since then, we have opened a further 7 successful supported accommodation settings across Wirral & Merseyside.
We are extremely proud to have been awarded our Ofsted Regulation Certification for supported accommodation in November 2023.
Previously, I spent over a decade managing refuges for women and children escaping domestic abuse. My journey began with completing a foundation degree in care, community, and citizenship, which then led me to pursue a social work degree. This shift was driven by my desire for more direct involvement with families in need. In my role, I handled a broad range of responsibilities including safeguarding, coordinating multi[1]agency efforts across different boroughs, serving as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for external professionals, managing risk, ensuring health and safety standards, budgeting, maintaining service quality, and overseeing a complex operational setup. I gained valuable experience in supporting individuals (both adults and children) on the autism spectrum and actively enhanced our services to better meet their specific needs. My tenure in this field has significantly deepened my expertise in delivering supportive and nurturing services, and I remain deeply involved in all aspects of my work. On a personal note, I cherish my three guinea pigs and thrive on maintaining a well-organised approach to life.
Previously, I spent several years working with ex-offenders with HMPPS after Finishing my Degree in Education. Whilst I enjoyed my time there, I met people from all walks of life who would relay the same outline to me. That they grew up in the care system and they felt like they were failed and didn’t receive the support they felt they needed. This drove me to make the decision to change careers and go to support young people in care to see if I could make the positive change there. I have now been working with young people in both residential support and supported accommodation since 2021.
During this time, I have experienced working with young people facing various personal challenges, including emotional, social, and educational difficulties. Every young person deserves support, Guidance and empowerment to navigate their own unique circumstances, and the support to be able to navigate their own path into adult life.
Young people come to us with their own set of challenges whether it may be emotional challenges or childhood trauma. However, despite all this I am left in awe by the progress they make with things other people may find miniscule which is a massive achievement for them, and it makes me proud to be a part of their journey.
I’m Caroline, the Deputy Manager at Lake House in Preston. I’ve worked in supportive roles throughout my career, but I’ve previously worked with people aged 16 and over, so I’m really excited to now provide support to young people in the supported accommodation environment. I have worked with victims of domestic abuse for over 10 years, and I also worked with both victims and offenders whilst employed with Probation before that. I believe that supported accommodation can play a vital role in young people’s lives, allowing them to develop independence and life skills whilst in a safe and caring environment.
I have qualifications relating to supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and I have a qualification in Probation Studies. I also have an English degree and generally just love words! I would definitely consider Domestic Abuse as my specialism, but my priority is supporting people around me to realise their potential and to feel happy and fulfilled. Witnessing people develop and gain confidence in themselves is a real privilege.
I manage Lake House on a day-to-day basis, supporting the young people and the other staff members there and making sure that the property is clean and welcoming. I meet with other professionals to advocate for the young people in the placement and share any concerns, working at all times to ensure that the young people feel happy, safe and aware of their potential.
My Approach: I am a warm and open person and I develop strong bonds with the people I work with. I believe that everyone can thrive if they have the right support and opportunities, and I am committed to supporting and encouraging those around me to develop self-confidence and recognise their own strengths.
I love the outdoors and spend hours walking and enjoying nature, even when it’s throwing it down! I really believe that being outdoors and moving your body is good for the mind and the soul.
My name is David McKevitt, and I am passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others. I joined Alternative Approach in February 2023 as a support worker, where I have had the opportunity to grow and develop my skills. Over the months, I progressed to the role of senior support worker. I am currently a deputy manager, overseeing several placements and ensuring the highest quality of care for our young people.
From a young age, I recognised my desire to work within the public service and the community sector. The instinct to help others has always been a significant part of my character. However, it took me some time to figure out the best path to achieve my aspirations. Therefore, I attended university to build a career that would allow me to contribute positively to society.
After completing my degree, I decided to take several years off to immerse myself in different cultures by travelling around the world. This journey allowed me to experience diverse lifestyles, meet incredible people, and gain a broader perspective on life before I eventually returned to the UK.
Every young person deserves support and guidance to navigate their unique circumstances, and I am eager to contribute to their growth and development. To enhance my skills and effectiveness in this role, I am pursuing an NVQ Level 5 in childcare management, building upon the knowledge I gained from completing my Level 4. This further education enables me to deepen my understanding of child development and management practices, allowing me to support young people more effectively in their journeys.
Taking the step into this role has undeniably been the best decision of my life. It allows me to seamlessly blend my enthusiasm for helping others with the professional skills I developed during my transition to adulthood. I find immense fulfilment in supporting and guiding young people, helping them navigate their struggles and encouraging them to believe in their potential for a brighter future.