At Solent Next Steps, we understand that young people leaving care need more than just a roof over their heads — they need stability, guidance, and real opportunities to build their future.
We provide safe, comfortable shared homes (for up to four young people) with 24/7 personalised support tailored to everyone’s needs. Our dedicated team focuses on equipping young people with the life skills and emotional resilience they need to thrive in adulthood.
As part of this journey, we offer AQA’s Unit Award Scheme, giving each young person evidence of their progress and achievements as they move toward independence.
All our staff are highly trained in PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) and DDP (Dyadic Developmental Practice) approaches. This ensures we respond to the trauma and challenges many young people have experienced with understanding, compassion, and consistency.
At Solent Next Steps, our mission is simple: to give every young person the foundations, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed beyond care.
Our Approach
- A minimum of 15 hours of direct support per week
- For 16–17-year-olds, services are governed by Ofsted regulations
- We use AQA resources and certificates to foster independence and learning
- Our team is skilled, resilient, and trained to manage high-risk behaviours
- Supported by experienced managers, a 24-hour on-call system, ongoing training, and monthly clinical supervision
Mandy has over a decade of experience working with care-experienced young people and is deeply committed to providing high-quality, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed support and accommodation. She holds a Level 5 qualification in Management in Health and Social Care. She has built her career around supporting vulnerable children and adults, including those affected by autism, substance misuse, mental health challenges, and homelessness.
Mandy has held several senior leadership roles throughout her career, including Team Manager, Area Operations Manager, Head of Operations, Operations Director, and Designated Safeguarding Lead. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to safeguarding and person-centred care in each of these roles.
At No. 12, Mandy has trained and nurtured a dedicated team of professionals who share her vision. The team brings a diverse and extensive skill set, with backgrounds in supporting care leavers, young people with mental health needs, looked-after children, unaccompanied asylum seekers (UAS), children at risk of exploitation, youth work, and community engagement.
Together, the No12 team offers a rich breadth of experience and a compassionate, expert approach to supporting young people on their journey to independence.
Our Approach
- A minimum of 15 hours of direct support per week
- For 16–17-year-olds, services are governed by Ofsted regulations
- We use AQA resources and certificates to foster independence and learning
- Our team is skilled, resilient, and trained to manage high-risk behaviours
- Supported by experienced managers, a 24-hour on-call system, ongoing training, and monthly clinical supervision
