General Enquiries: contact@progressivei.co.uk
How We Support – Supported Accommodation
Progressive Independence offers a three-part approach to inspire young people to achieve outcomes through therapeutic engagement focused on well-being, work, and education opportunities, as well as outbound activities with sports coaching designed to motivate, incentivise, and inspire. This approach has been developed in consultation with our young people who have shared with us the barriers they have faced and the ways in which they want to be supported.
We focus on investing in staff training and identifying areas where additional support can be provided, either by our in-house wellbeing practitioner and experienced managers or sourced from accredited training providers
Key Support Areas – Supported Accommodation
Life Skills
Education:
Before joining our program, education and work may have been inconsistent, stressful, and demotivating. However, with intensive support from key workers and therapeutic engagement to alleviate anxieties, young people will be better equipped to take advantage of the following opportunities.
Work:
Before joining our program, education and work may have been inconsistent, stressful, and demotivating. However, with intensive support from key workers and therapeutic engagement to alleviate anxieties, young people will be better equipped to take advantage of the following opportunities. We provide supported accommodation services to assist young people in transitioning to adulthood while developing their independence skills.
Our Goals for Young People: We aim to provide comprehensive support to ensure our young people can transition to their next accommodation or home happily, safely, and successfully. Once they demonstrate adherence to our tenancy agreement and possess a good level of independence within a shared home, they will have the opportunity to move into one of our solo occupancy flats in the local area. This goal is achievable, and we are committed to helping each young person reach it. All young people must complete an Independence Handbook covering the following topics:
- Support Network: Who is There for You
- Grievance Procedure: How to Make a Complaint or Raise Concerns
- Education, Work, and Activities
- Health and Well-being: Being Healthy, Sexual Health, Drugs and Alcohol, Healthy Eating
- Personal Hygiene: Clean and Tidy, Routines
- Financial Literacy: Budgeting
- Safety: Staying Safe
- Interpersonal Skills: Relationships
Outbound & Activities
Progressive's Outbound department offers a variety of engaging activities and educational opportunities designed to nurture confidence and personal growth in the young people we serve. Our sports coaching program, led by experienced coaches, promotes physical and mental well-being through tailored programs for each individual. From team sports like football to individual activities such as boxing and table tennis, our initiatives encourage engagement and positive relationships. We also support young people in obtaining the Duke of Edinburgh Award and/or Sports Leaders Qualification, fostering valuable life skills and enhancing their CVs. Additionally, our motivational activities, including cooking lessons, camping, and surfing, provide opportunities for social and skills development aligned with each young person's goals.
Key Support Areas
Therapeutic Support -
Trauma-Informed Care at the Heart of What We Do
At Progressive Independence, every member of our team is trained to understand the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and to respond with compassion, consistency, and professionalism. A Trauma-Informed Approach is not just part of our practice — it is the foundation of how we care for children and young people.
We are proud to have our own in-house trauma trainer, ensuring that trauma awareness and recovery run as a golden thread throughout our organisation. This wraparound training and continuous professional development mean our staff are always equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge, tools, and reflective practice to support young people effectively.
We know that past experiences of abuse, neglect, loss, or instability can affect how a child or young person feels, thinks, and responds. That’s why our staff are trained in therapeutic models and strategies to provide safe, nurturing, and emotionally attuned care that prioritises stability, healing, and growth.
Mental health and well-being are openly discussed and supported. We work closely with local services and specialist providers to ensure young people can access the help they need.
Alongside this, our in-house well-being practitioner offers personalised weekly sessions, giving children and young people the space to talk, process, and thrive.
By embedding trauma-informed and trauma-recovered practice at every level, we empower children and young people to build resilience, form positive relationships, and create meaningful, hopeful futures.
(Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Progressive Independence)
Supported Accommodation
At Progressive Independence, equality, diversity, and inclusion guide the way we support young adults as they move towards independence. Our aim is to create safe, respectful environments where every young person can explore their identity, build confidence, and prepare for adulthood.
Our Staff
We value a workforce from diverse backgrounds and actively challenge discrimination. Staff are positive allies who provide support and encouragement, acting as role models while respecting young people’s growing independence.
Our Young People
Every young adult in our accommodation is supported to achieve their goals, regardless of gender, ethnicity, faith, ability, or sexuality. We celebrate diversity and encourage self-expression, helping young people develop the confidence to live independently while respecting the rights and beliefs of others.
We also actively promote British Values, ensuring tolerance, fairness, respect, and responsibility are woven into daily routines and independence work.
Keyworker/Support Worker Allocation
Each young person has an allocated support worker who helps them build independence skills and navigate the transition to adulthood. This relationship provides a safe space for reflection, goal-setting, and problem-solving, with staff available to notice changes and provide early intervention when needed.
Practices & Policies
Our Supported Accommodation services promote equality and social inclusion, tackling prejudice and ensuring that every young person feels respected and supported. Our policies explicitly reference inclusion around gender, sexuality, and identity, embedding EDI into daily practice and preparation for independent living.
Training & Development
All staff complete Equality & Diversity and Identity & Self-Esteem training, with additional LGBTQ+ training provided to key representatives. Staff are expected to respect each young person’s chosen name, pronouns, and identity, supporting them to develop self-confidence and resilience as they prepare for their future.
Wellbeing Lead - John Gibbons
Wellness Sessions for children and Young People
A Safe Space for Growth and Connection
Quote from John:
"Together, we can soar beyond the stars, for united in our dreams, we hold the power to reach the greatest heights."
We are proud to have John, our in-house Wellbeing Lead, supporting all children and young people at Progressive Independence. With a background in children’s residential care, John brings both professional expertise and lived passion for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. As leader of our EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) team, he ensures these values run through every part of our practice.
John’s achievements include receiving Outstanding recognition in the Navajo Merseyside & Cheshire LGBTIQA+ Charter Mark 2021 in a previous role. Alongside this, he is a qualified yoga teacher, trained in trauma therapy, and passionate about children’s mental health. His trauma-informed, holistic approach ensures that every young person feels seen, heard, and supported.
Wellbeing sessions are built on core principles:
- Safe Pace – participation at a pace that feels right for the young person.
- Confidentiality – secure, private spaces with safeguarding where necessary.
- Non-Judgement – celebrating diversity and encouraging openness.
- Neutral Space – focused on growth and personal goals.
- Wellbeing Focus – tools to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health.
- Friendly Atmosphere – warm, inclusive sessions that build trust and connection.
John’s passion for social justice, equality, and inclusion makes him an invaluable resource for both our young people and our staff. Through his leadership, we weave a golden thread of trauma-informed practice across our homes, creating safe spaces where children and young people can flourish and grow.
A Safe Space for Growth and Connection
-John James Gibbons
Our Partners for Employment, Education, Training & Advocacy
Education Leadership at Progressive
At the heart of our educational approach is Adam Hurst, the founder and Head Teacher of YouThrive Academy, our purpose-built alternative learning provision. Adam brings a trauma-informed and relational approach to education—rooted in a First-Class Honours in Education and 7+ years of experience, including key roles as Head of Year and safeguarding lead.
Under Adam’s leadership, YouThrive Academy delivers a flexible, person-centred learning environment for children and young people disengaged from mainstream education or classified as NEET. Through tailored support, accredited qualifications, and a nurturing culture, he empowers learners to rebuild confidence, re-engage with education, and succeed.
Partnering with Career Connect Merseyside
At Progressive Independence, we are proud to work closely with Career Connect Merseyside to support young people in achieving their goals. Through our partnership, we provide tailored guidance and opportunities to help them access education, training, and employment. Together, we empower young people to build confidence, develop skills, and take steps toward a brighter, independent future.
Our Partnership with NYAS Merseyside
At Progressive Independence, we partner with NYAS Merseyside to ensure the voices and rights of young people are heard and respected. NYAS provides independent advocacy, legal representation, and volunteer support for children and young people in care, helping them navigate challenges and make informed decisions. Together, we empower young people to build brighter, independent futures.
LFC Foundation Employability programmes fall under the umbrella term 'Works'. Our 3 UK based programmes are Creative Works, SMF Works and Global Works.
Programme Delivery- Creative Works
The Creative Works programme is delivered across a period of 6 workshops, in which young people explore their creativity, developed an understanding of the pathways and career opportunities across various creative industries and work on soft skills such as communication, teamwork and decision making. Creative Works has provided an opportunity for young people to engage and be part of a group where they can feel comfortable, express their creativity and gain more knowledge on a topic of their interest.
Programme delivery- SMF Works
SMF Works is a multi-faceted employability programme which encompasses delivery in schools & colleges and community settings across LCR, for 16 – 25 year olds furthest away from the job market. The programme a series of 6-8 1-hour sessions focusing on workplace behaviours, key employability skills and exploring the LFC Core values followed by an invite to Anfield for a tour and final workshop.
Programme delivery- Global Works UK
Global Works is a community-based employability programme in partnership with the Liverpool FC Foundation and funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund. This programme will look to provide high-quality, outcome-driven delivery around employment support. Consisting of sport-based employability sessions, mentoring and post programme support. The programme aims to get each participant to feel work ready and actively seeking employment. It will look to focus on the development of skills and the exposure of careers within sport through meeting industry professionals.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Everton in the Community is all about getting people involved in football – but you’d be wrong!
Everton in the Community provides local people with routes into various education, employment and training opportunities which are individually tailored to suit their learning needs.
EVERTON FREE SCHOOL
Standing on Spellow Lane in an impressive £4.2m state of the art learning facility is the Everton Free School. The building, which opened in the summer of 2015, has room for 200 students and contains a teaching block, sports hall, a creative block and a covered street to link different parts of the complex.
Students at the School are made up of young people aged 14-16 who have not adapted to mainstream school, at risk of exclusion or have been excluded, have poor attendance records, have suffered bullying or have other related issues. The School provides a lifeline to a lot of young people getting them back on track and giving them an opportunity for education, employment or training.
The school also offers young people aged 16-19 the opportunity to take on further education courses at the Everton Sixth Form. The higher education facility also based on Spellow Lane within the Free School gives Sixth Form students access to Premier League standard facilities at Goodison Park and USM Finch Farm.
Students enjoy inspirational and transformational learning opportunities as they develop and thrive into successful citizens. The school delivers an innovative, personalised curriculum supported by local stakeholders and partners from Further and Higher Education as well as businesses.
Phil Duffy, Executive Director at Everton in the Community said: “The commitment and determination of those involved in the Everton Free School is second to none, nothing short of incredible. The School has a curriculum that creates the conditions for all young people, including their families, to prosper.”
EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME
The charity’s ‘Everton 4 Employment’ programme has worked with almost 1000 disadvantaged people since 2009, through a series of employability courses, enterprise projects and training programmes that have raised aspirations, developed skills and supported people into employment in Liverpool and beyond.
The charity’s Apprenticeship programme, in partnership Riverside College, offers opportunities for individuals who would prefer to work, learn and earn. This season Everton Apprenticeships has broadened out its curriculum offer and now extends to supporting job roles within Hospitality and Catering, Team Leading/Management and customer service. An apprenticeship gives young people the opportunity for practical learning as opposed to going down the more academic traditional pathway.
An apprenticeship programme will last a minimum of 12 months in which in which time apprentices will work to complete all components of the project including functional skills in Maths, English and IT, Employee Rights and Responsibilities and vocational led qualifications. Apprentices will also undertake a recognised qualification in a subject related to their job such as L2 NVQ Sport Activity Leadership, L2 NVQ Customer Service and L2 or L3 NVQ Business Administration as well as the opportunity to work towards additional qualifications in First Aid and FA coaching badges.
As well as the range of qualifications, apprentices will also receive on-going support, information, advice and guidance. Apprentices will have regular reviews with tutors and line managers as well as the opportunity to explore future career paths and personal development via employability sessions.
82% of Everton Apprenticeships successfully complete their full Apprenticeship framework compared to a national average of 72% and through our programmes offer unrivalled educational support and enrichment opportunities.
Transitions
Moving On Plans
When young people leave us, we conduct comprehensive exit interviews and share their Moving On Plans with relevant agencies. We recognise the benefits of Staying Close arrangements (originally proposed by Sir Martin Narey’s review of services for looked-after children, to which our organisation contributed), and maintain contact with young people by never ‘closing the door’.
When young people approach independence, we work closely with the placing authority to assess their abilities and ensure Action Plans provide appropriate support for transitions. Key actions include:
- Six months before a young person’s 18th birthday, we support them with applications for social or council housing
- At the same stage, we support young people to prepare applications for relevant benefits (e.g. JSA, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, PIP etc)
- We evaluate young people’s independence skills and their ability to live successfully within a community; our ongoing evaluation of independence skills and use of Outcomes Stars™ during placement informs this assessment.
Our teams are well-informed about local housing options and will help young people register for council housing so they can access the Merseyside Lettings Company’s services. We explain options such as private rented or social housing during their ‘Independent Living Journey’ and we ensure post-18 expectations are realistic.
We help young people secure tenancies and ensure sustainable support is in place before they leave us, including access to universal services and the means of seeking specialist support.