Standing Up for Stability: Advocating for a Future

At Stepping Stones Care, we believe every young person deserves stability, consistency, and above all - a place they can truly call home. For over two and a half years, Onyx House has been just that for one of our young people.

His journey with us began after a difficult chapter in his life. Prior to joining Onyx House, he had been placed far from home, in a setting that couldn’t fully support his complex needs. The distance from his family and community only compounded the challenges he was facing. But from the moment we met him, it was clear that bringing him back to the Midlands, closer to the people and places that mattered most- was the right thing to do.

When he arrived at Onyx House, things began to change. Slowly but surely, he started to settle. The consistent support of our team, along with the nurturing environment, helped him find a sense of safety and belonging. For the first time in a long time, he had stability. He began to thrive - emotionally, socially, and developmentally. Onyx House wasn’t just a placement to him anymore. It was home.

Our plan, agreed with him and his support network, was always to prepare him for the next step as he approached adulthood, semi-independent living, at a pace that was right for him. The plan was clear: he would remain with us through his 17th birthday, gradually building the confidence and skills needed for his next chapter. He was on board and actively involved in shaping his future.

But then, unexpectedly, everything was put at risk.

Without warning, and without prior discussion with his social worker, we received a 28-day notice of removal from the local authority. This decision, made higher up the chain, came as a shock - not only to us, but to the social worker, who immediately expressed their disagreement.

We knew this wasn’t right. It wasn’t in line with the agreed plan. More importantly, it wasn’t in line with what the child in our care wanted, or needed.

Lucy Mitchell, who had been closely involved in his journey from the very beginning, acted swiftly. She formally challenged the decision, putting her concerns in writing and calling for the involvement of both the Independent Reviewing Officer and a dedicated advocate to represent his voice. One of her key challenges was that he had not yet begun any structured independence work, and a move at that stage would be both premature and destabilising.

Within days, meetings were convened. Professionals across the network came together, reviewed the facts, and recognised the importance of sticking to the original plan. The decision was reversed. The notice was revoked. And the young man would remain in his home - just as he had hoped and expected.

And throughout all of this, he was unaware that his future had ever been uncertain. That was intentional. Our priority was to protect his emotional wellbeing, to shield him from the stress and upheaval of sudden change. Thanks to the calm, collaborative approach of our team and the willingness of professionals to listen - he never had to worry.

This story isn’t about conflict. It’s about care. It’s about professionals coming together to do what’s right for a young person. And it’s a reminder of why we do what we do.

Because at the heart of every decision we make is a simple truth: every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and at home.