The Ryan Smith - Rising Sun Trust

Intense Support Service

In an attempt to help service users move forward toward achieving a more settled life the Rising Sun Trust has implemented an Intense Support Service .This gives the service users who sign up and commit to the service, the opportunity to work individually with one of the Trust’s Support team to look at ways to address the problems they face. The focus is on removing barriers to change, confidence building and taking responsibility. The Intense Support worker will work hand in hand with any other professionals involved with the individual eg Drug Worker to ensure that all those involved are working together to achieve the same end result.

An initial assessment will provide information on what needs the service user has and an action plan and care plan will be implemented to address those issues with an initial focus on those which are determined to be of “high priority”. As major issues are addressed leading to less stress for the person concerned they will be encouraged to “take more responsibility” for their day to day commitments .

The support worker will continually evaluate the service users’ progress and as priority issues are addressed they will look to introduce other options to them regarding their long term future. They will discuss the possibility of a range of ways to further enhance their lives eg – training courses, self development, volunteering possibilities

As the level of need decreases the support worker will act as more of a mentor with a view to encouraging and praising progress at all times. The possibility that any one service user may take a backward step at any time is possible but the trust established in the relationship between service user and support worker will, we hope, ensure that should this happen the road back to the positive path will not be as stressful as what it has been when they first became part of this support scheme.

Letting go will be a decision made by the service users and their intense support worker and a managed exit procedure will be facilitated. We encourage each individual to move on and away with confidence, self awareness and a new positive approach to life.