Coaching

What is the PARC Model?

PARC  is our bespoke reflective practice model — developed by Blueprint Youth UK during COVID-19, when it became clear that young people needed a new kind of support. It’s built on one simple belief: real change happens when people are met as equals, not as problems to be fixed.


PARC stands for Plan, Act, Reflect, Change. It’s a flexible, person-centred coaching framework that helps young people take control of their own journey — whether they arrive with a clear goal or just a sense that something needs to shift.


Developed from decades of frontline experience, PARC was shaped for young people who are too often excluded — especially those facing the intersection of structural inequality, mental health challenges, or disconnection from services. Our bespoke outreach allows us to connect with young people in wards of deprivation who are rarely reached through traditional systems.


Young people show up for a model that meets them where they are — and helps them move forward in a way that feels real. Tested and refined by our neurodiverse team, PARC offers structure without rigidity, reflection without pressure, and support that adapts to real life.

How PARC Works

PARC stands for Plan, Act, Reflect, Change — four flexible stages that guide each coaching journey. There’s no pressure to follow the steps in a straight line. Every session is shaped by what the young person needs, at their own pace.

Plan

Start with what matters. We explore what’s going on and where the young person wants to begin — even if they’re not sure yet.

Reflect

Look at what’s working. PARC coaches support young people to process experiences and notice how their thinking or choices are changing.

Act

Take small, achievable steps. Actions are led by the young person, with support from a PARC coach to try things out and build confidence.

Change

Build on progress. Whether it’s a mindset, a decision, or a shift in energy — change looks different for everyone.

Why PARC Works

Real people. Real life. Real impact.


PARC works because it’s built around young people’s lives — not systems. Over the past three years, we’ve delivered over 1,800 sessions and gathered detailed evaluations and follow-up consultations from every cohort. Here’s what we’ve learned:

  • It meets young people where they’re at

    Many young people arrive unsure of what coaching is but they stay because it works. They describe it as “talking to someone who really listens,” “not being judged,” and “a way to actually sort things out.”

  • It supports real-world progress

    From managing housing, relationships, mental health and employment, to re-engaging with education or finding a sense of self. 


    PARC has supported change across every area of life.

  • It encourages lasting reflection

    Young people don’t just “feel better” — they leave with tools and ways to plan, act, reflect and change, which they continue using long after the sessions end.


  • It’s inclusive by design

    PARC was developed and tested by our neurodiverse team, drawing on lived experience to shape a model that works for those who often feel left out of traditional services. It builds trust, reduces pressure, and adapts to real life.

  • It responds to real barriers

    Young people told us they often feel stuck, unheard, or shut out of support. PARC creates a space where they feel understood and supported — helping them navigate challenges like anxiety, isolation, and feeling overwhelmed, without having to face things on their own.

Who We Work With

Reaching the young people who are often left out

PARC is open to any young person aged 18–25 — no referral, no eligibility checks, no pressure. The model is universal, but our delivery is targeted. We focus our outreach on those least likely to access support: young people navigating structural inequalities, complex lives, and limited opportunities.

Structural Inequality

Young people told us they often feel the pressure of adult responsibilities without support — caring for others, managing alone, or trying to survive systems that overlook them. Some are young parents, some are carers, and some are facing housing instability or struggling with mental health. Many say they’ve tried other services — but “didn’t feel heard” or were told they didn’t meet the criteria.

Complex Lives

We hear the same words again and again: “stuck,” “burnt out,” “on my own,” “nothing for me.” These young people are not disengaged — they’re overloaded, overlooked, and often left to figure things out alone. What they need isn’t pressure — it’s space, time, and someone who truly listens.

Often Missed by Other Services

We’ve delivered PARC in 28 wards of deprivation across coastal Sussex, using bespoke outreach and peer networks to connect with young people who often miss out. But the model itself works for everyone — it’s reflective, person-centred, and adaptable. We don’t take referrals. We meet young people where they are, in familiar community spaces like cafés and libraries.

How We Work With Them

Coaching is always free and grounded in strong safeguarding. What makes it work is the atmosphere: low-pressure, consistent, and shaped around each young person’s pace — even if they don’t know where to start. They don’t need to prove themselves. They just need to show up.

In Their Words

Young people don’t just show up — they speak up. Their feedback has shaped everything we do, and their words often say more than any stat ever could.

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"Getting to talk to someone is a good thing to do and when you can meet up somewhere nice, it can make you feel more comfortable sharing things. My coach was very understanding and I didn’t feel like she was judging me at all even when I said some things that I think might have shocked someone"