Creating Calm in Chaos
At just over 18, Kieran was on tag following a violent incident in which he had been groomed and exploited by a younger female peer. His world was chaotic, and traditional support methods weren’t reaching him.
When Kieran first met his caseworker, he barely spoke. His responses were short - one or two words - and he struggled to retain information.
The first meeting took place in a busy café - a venue Kieran had chosen. But it quickly became clear that the noise and activity were overwhelming. He couldn’t focus and the conversation barely landed. So together, they searched for somewhere better. They found a quiet café away from the main road, with a secluded garden space. The owner agreed to reserve a quiet table each week for their sessions.
That simple change made a big difference. Kieran began to concentrate, listen and engage. The space gave him room to breathe.
Although Kieran was legally an adult, his caseworker made the decision to involve his mum. By sharing session topics and key takeaways with her, they created a bridge - helping Kieran remember and apply what he was learning. It was a respectful balance between independence and support.
Kieran’s Autism meant that written forms and long conversations were difficult. So, the caseworker adapted. Goals were completed using a whiteboard with simple visuals - just numbers and faces to express feelings. Thinking breaks were built into each session - every 5 to 10 minutes - to help him process.
They used short videos, case studies and headphones - tools that helped Kieran focus and absorb information in a way that worked for him. Every resource was broken down and simplified, without ever being patronising. It was about meeting Kieran where he was.
Kieran
he made things easy for me to understand
Behind the scenes, Kieran's caseworker worked with his professional network to ensure his Autism was recognised in his court case - advocating for understanding, leniency and justice.
Over time, Kieran changed. He became more confident, more vocal, more engaged. He showed up, participated, and began to trust the process.
“I enjoyed working with [my caseworker] and he made things easy for me to understand.” - Kieran
Over their time together Kieran improved dramatically, reflecting a real reduction in risk and a meaningful increase in safety. But more than that, Kieran felt heard. And that made all the difference.
How we helped Kieran
Trauma-informed Caseworker
Every young Londoner is allocated a single trauma-informed caseworker, who works alongside them from 6 to 12 months (with support extending up to two years if required). Kieran was allocated an expert caseworker who was experienced at working with young Londoners with SEND. The support was built around the Kieran's unique circumstances and needs.
Person Centred Support
The support is built around the young Londoner and their needs. The session plans, session content and overall outcomes are influenced by the young Londoner, with their voice being central to what the support looks like.