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Our Ethos


Early Break is a unique service, offering a client centred approach to young people who wish to address their substance related needs. Since 1994 we have gained a great deal of experience of working with young people, we have been a consistently reflective service, believing that this is the only way to develop and move the service forward so that we are always delivering the best possible service to our clients.

The whole service works from a person centred philosophy, meaning that the service is client led.  We believe that young people have a right to be listened to, respected and protected from harm. We work in a way with our young people that empower them to make changes in their lives, helping them to make positive decisions and to become responsible for the decisions they make.

Whilst our ethos and philosophy are steeped in Rogerian theory (person centred philosophy), not all our workers have a counselling background. A key requirement of being an Early Break worker is a deep understanding of young people and the necessary skills to build meaningful relationships with young people and thier families.  In order to maintain the person centred philosophy of the service various checks, balances and supports have been built in.

External supervision is mandatory for all our workers.  Workers are given the time and space to explore their working practice and client centred approach to their work in a confidential arena.  Here they are given the opportunity to reflect on their work and actions, to be supported through difficult and testing periods and have their work challenged.

A slightly less formal support mechanism is the Early Break Buddy System. Workers are paired with another colleague for peer support.  This time is considered important and is part of each worker’s diary time.

The young people we work with deserve the best workers we can provide. With this in mind, Early Break workers are encouraged to constantly identify their own professional development needs and through the development of a strong training policy we can usually facilitate training that has been identified.

All workers have prior experience in work with young people on joining Early Break. The range of professional skills and qualifications held by workers include Youth Work, Teaching, Social Work and Counselling, for example.  Qualified therapists also provide auricular acupuncture, sports and fitness therapy, boxing therapy, massage, aromatherapy and electro-stimulation therapy.  Many workers hold the Advanced Certificate in Substance Misuse Management: Practitioner Skills qualification, with additional workers completing the course each year.
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