Tommy's Story

Background

Tommy is a young person who has previously been looked after at home with social work involvement. Alongside this, he carries caring responsibilities within his family. As a young carer, Tommy often put the needs of his family before his own education and wellbeing. To support him, the school created an amended timetable, giving Tommy more flexibility while still keeping him engaged in learning.

Intervention

Marc began working with Tommy in October 2024. Their first meetings were on Thursday afternoons, taking walks along the beachfront. These sessions created a safe and informal space where Marc could start building trust, getting to know Tommy, and understanding the challenges he was facing.

Marc recognised the importance of consistency and relationship-building. By moving at Tommy's pace, Marc provided a steady and supportive presence. When Tommy later chose to move in with his mum in another locality, Marc continued to offer support, demonstrating a commitment to continuity and keeping The Promise.

Activities & Participation

Alongside one-to-one support, Marc encouraged Tommy to take part in activities that would give him the chance to enjoy new experiences, spend time with peers, and simply have fun as a teenager. Highlights included:

• Attending Domain Youth Club on Thursday evenings.
• Visiting the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, learning about local history and culture.
• Exploring and "getting lost" together in Eglinton Park, which created laughter and memories.

These experiences gave Tommy the space to step away from his caring responsibilities, try new things, and enjoy being a young person.

Transition & Next Steps

After finishing school, Marc supported Tommy to apply for college, helping him secure a place. However, college did not turn out to be the right fit for Tommy. Listening to Tommy's interests and aspirations, Marc then referred him to his local Employability and Skills Team, where he could pursue a modern apprenticeship — something Tommy had expressed a real interest in.

Even after Tommy's move, Marc has remained a consistent figure in his life, continuing to meet up for activities and meals together. This support has helped Tommy navigate change and maintain a sense of stability during a period of transition.

Themes in Tommy's Journey

• Consistency & Continuity - maintaining support even through locality changes, in line with The Promise.
• Relationships at the Core - building trust through regular, informal sessions.
• Listening & Responding - adapting plans when college wasn't the right fit, and redirecting to apprenticeships.
• Supporting Aspirations - helping Tommy take practical steps towards his chosen pathway.
• Whole Person Approach - recognising Tommy's experience as both a young carer and a young person who had been looked after at home.

Impact

Tommy has been supported through a significant transition from school into the next stage of his life. He has explored further education, identified that it wasn't the right fit for him, and is now being supported into a modern apprenticeship that aligns with his interests. Importantly, he has not had to navigate these changes alone - Marc's consistent presence has provided reassurance, advocacy, and practical support every step of the way.

Parent's Reflection

Tommy's mum shared:

"That you are amazing, and I don't know what I would have done without you this year. You have made a good impact on Tommy Lee - it's something I will never ever forget. You went above and beyond for my son. We will be gutted when you leave."

Overall Reflection

Tommy's story shows the importance of continuity in relationships and the need to move at the young person's pace. By prioritising stability, trust, and listening, Marc has been able to support Tommy in finding the right path for him and ensuring he feels supported during life transitions.