Tanya's Story

Tanya's Story

Burnley Housing Needs referred Tanya*, aged 16, to HAPI, after she approached them for support. Tanya was staying with a friend when she was asked to leave home by her parents. Both parents said that they could no longer cope with Tanya's mental health issues. Tanya was only able to stay with her friend temporarily, and requested support to help find her own accommodation. HAPI arranged to meet with Tanya at college to discuss her situation, and go through the different options of support available. 

During the initial meeting, Tanya disclosed that she had a personality disorder, and believed that her parents had been trying to poison her. It became clear that Tanya was not receiving any support for her mental health, and was self-medicating with cannabis as a result. Tanya agreed to a referral to Young Addaction to support her with substance misuse, and decided that she would begin to engage with mental health services via her GP. 

Mediation was offered, but Tanya did not feel that this would help her at the time and did not wish to take part. It was then decided that a referral to Children's Social Care should be submitted, for extra family support and a joint homeless assessment. 

A representative from HAPI attended the homeless assessment in order to advocate for Tanya, and to explain what support had already been put in place. Tanya's mother also attended the assessment, and made it clear that she did want her daughter to return home, but she was fearful of her daughter's anger issues and was desperate for some support. Working in partnership with children's social care, it was decided that a family support worker would be put in place, following a CIN assessment, and HAPI would refer Tanya to the Stepping Stone trainer flat. This decision was made to enable Tanya and her parents some time to rebuild their relationship. 

Tanya spent 4 weeks in the trainer flat, and engaged extremely well with the Lifewise programme, gaining AQA awards. Tanya and her parents also re-connected, and the decision was made for her to return home. A family support worker was placed with the family and a long-term plan of support was put in place. 

Tanya made the decision to change her course at college to a less stressful one, and continues to engage with support from children's social care, Young Addaction, and Minds Matter.