I’ve been part of the project for six months now. Some days it feels like I’ve been here for years and some days I feel as if I’m still new and learning a lot. It’s been like a rollercoaster ride, for both me and the young people the project supports. One of the biggest surprises was having to re-think what success means.

The other day someone I’ve been key-working for the past four months called the project to ask for me. I see that as a big achievement as it takes a long time to build up trust with the young people in the project. Also, a lot of times staff can make plans with a young person, but things don’t always go according to plan! A lot of flexibility is required.

Tomorrow there’s a Practice Development Seminar on loss, these are a chance for the team to get together to think about and reflect upon practice. We usually get someone from another service in to share their knowledge.

There was a really stressful incident I had to deal with at 1am last night, I was called out to support a young person who has had difficulty in coping in their flat recently. Local young people had forced entry into their house and they had been assaulted.
As well as project support I think I’ll get in touch with our external support agency to talk about how this has affected me emotionally. They also come in to the project every 6-8 weeks to offer the team group support.

The plan for today had been for me to support the young person to a meeting with another agency, however, due to circumstances this has been re-scheduled. The focus is now working alongside the young person and other agencies to work out how they can keep themselves safe.

As you can imagine, this job is quite demanding. Why do I do it? I get a lot out of the interaction with the young people, Quarriers recognises the demands of the work and has put in place an intensive training programme for staff based on the needs of the project. I’ve developed a lot since coming here, both through the training programme, from the skills and experience of other members of the team and through working with the young people we support.

I return to work having only been off for 2 days and it feels like 2 weeks after receiving the handover from the weekend.

So much had changed – a new young person, Craig had moved in on a “time out basis”, someone had been reported missing and another young person, Philip was in custody and appearing in the Sheriff Court in 1 hour. As I took down some notes, I wish I had that second cup of coffee!

After a bit of shuffling and negotiation of appointments, I agreed that I would accompany my colleague to complete the fire safety checks at the young people’s flats. On the way across, we discussed how best to go about the handover as on occasion some young people will refuse entry. I feel I am stuck in a game of cat and mouse not knowing which one I am. (No entry was granted to one of the young people today but at least this was negotiated for tomorrow) The rest of the flat checks went ok and in the process of doing this I supported a young person to make a new benefit claim.

I start thinking of the housing meeting later on today about neighbour complaints regarding noise and best I can support Daniel, the young person who is occupying the flat in question. I know Daniel will be feeling very anxious but at least there is awareness that “happy hardcore” at 4am in not ok.

I am a bit apprehensive. Daniel can be verbally aggressive and challenging when aggravated and I know he hates dealing with the police, who will also be attending. This may not be good, if I am unable to de-escalate this, however I’ve developed a really good relationship with Daniel over the last few months and I’m sure that I will manage the situation. I decide that I will have to remain calm if Daniel picks up my anxiety this won’t help (I am now thinking that I should have had a herbal tea instead of coffee!!)

I tried to get hold of Daniel on the phone with no joy, this is unusual and as a result I decide to go to his flat. I am also wondering if he will be there on my arrival and if I am going to this effort to find no one in. When I knock the door, Daniel just shouts for me to come in and I am surprised at the scene that meets me. He had self injured, bleeding heavily and very upset sitting on the sofa. This has happened before on a regular basis and Daniel’s sense of humour remains and he makes jokes to deflect from his inner pain. As I check his wounds he raises concerns that I may get blood on my coat. His empathy to others as always, really touches me. HoweverI don’t care about my coat but at his insistence, I remove it. I have observed that the wound requires medical attention. I know Daniel hates hospitals but I also know he trusts me and agrees when I advise him we should go to A & E for medical advice. He seeks immediate reassurance that I will accompany him and remain and I am able to give this assurance.

As we are in no rush Daniel takes 10 mins to prepare for his ordeal and he moves the conversation to last night’s football match and TV. I go along with his subtle request for distraction and phone the office to request the housing meeting planned for this afternoon is cancelled on my behalf.

I finished 2 hours later than expected. Daniel was really keen I return to his flat following his hospital treatment and I was really keen to provide the support through to the end. Both of us felt hungry and drained but ended up exploring some of the issues Daniel faces, as we enjoyed a bag of chips!!