TOOLS

Ÿ   Bridges to Independence

Bridges to Independence has been developed by Bridges Project as a tool for practitioners to assist clients in identifying and monitoring their progress towards achieving the skills required for independent living and self-reliance.  Although primarily designed for staff working with young people, it lends itself to other beneficiary groups in a range of settings.

Bridges to Independence can be used as a complete soft measurement package or as a set of stand alone tools which workers can use and adapt to their professional environment.  It is based on the very successful Bridges to Employability.  Bridges to Independence is lengthy as it incorporates guidance, exhaustive check-lists and templates, all of which can be downloaded free of charge.

Whilst Bridges to Independence is copyrighted to Bridges Project, permission is granted for its adaptation by agencies and workers, so long as Bridges Project is recognised as the source of the adaptation.

Bridges to Independence works best as an electronic download. If it is not possible to download the document in its electronic entirety, Bridges project will send a copy on CD to those who wish to use it or will send a paper copy by post.  The cost of the CD is £10.00, including postage whilst the cost of the paper version is £20, including postage.

Although we will provide Bridges to Independence to you free of charge we are unfortunately unable to provide training or further consultation in its use.

You can download Bridges to Independence by choosing the 3 files from the list on the right.

If you have any comments to make about the tool or would like a paper/CD copy, please contact us at: mail@bridgesproject.org.uk

Ÿ   Bridges to Progress

Bridges to Progress is a ‘soft’ measurement system for measuring individual progress in the skills required for self-reliance where the use solely of quantitative measures is not appropriate.  It relies upon the gathering of evidence and is, therefore, genuinely able to measure ‘distance travelled’ towards self-reliance.  It is intended to be a more effective way of working with vulnerable groups by ensuring consistency and clarity over objectives to be met and how this is to be achieved.  It has been successfully tried and tested in pre-vocational training programmes and in social care settings.

Ÿ   Bridges to Employability

This is a way of working which uses a similar process to Bridges to Progress.   Bridges to Employability is an evidence-based ‘soft’ system which measures an individual’s progress towards the acquisition of the basic and core skills anyone needs to be employable (ie ‘distance travelled’).  Additionally, two specific sections address the needs of vulnerable and excluded groups who are working towards becoming employable.

Bridges Project offers training in Bridges to Employability.  The training takes one and a half days and is delivered through Employment Enterprise, an experienced training provider.  The training costs £260 per person (based on 15 people training at Bridges Project, Musselburgh).  The cost includes a comprehensive guide plus other related materials.

For more information on Bridges to Employability please contact Fiona Langskaill at Bridges Project.

PUBLICATIONS

Ÿ   Designing a Youth Homelessness Strategy

This practical handbook was developed using a partnership approach and is aimed at managers and staff who are responsible for developing and implementing strategies in local authorities and their partner agencies.  It is important to understand that its relevance extends beyond housing officials to embrace a range of professional groups which are required to work together to give homeless young people the best possible chance of achieving a stable lifestyle eg health, social services, youth work services, careers service, Jobcentre Plus and relevant voluntary sector services.  Available free of charge.

Ÿ   Young Homemaker Pack

There are three versions of this pack to cover Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian.  It has been designed as a step-by-step guide for young people about to or in the process of setting up home.   It covers aspects such as rights and responsibilities, budgeting, furniture, visitors and collecting your keys etc and is provided through a folder with illustrated ‘setting up home’ guide cards.  The Homemaker Packs are now slightly out of date but Bridges Project is happy to send the packs to interested agencies for reference purposes.

Ÿ   Managers’ Guide: Information Sharing

This guide is intended for partner agencies working with homeless young people and vulnerable groups.  It is designed to be used as a management tool and is directed towards operational managers and policy makers at the local level, although it also makes some broader recommendations for national policy makers.   In addition, trainers and consultants may find it to be of interest as a source of interest.  It examines how information, in particular, sensitive information, can be more effectively shared between and among the partner agencies delivering services to meet the needs of homeless young people.  Available free of charge.