Your future. Your choices. One step at a time.
Growing up and becoming independent can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming.
There is so much to learn, from managing money and finding somewhere to live to looking after your wellbeing, building healthy relationships and making important decisions about your future.
For young people leaving care or moving towards independent living, these changes can come with additional challenges.
That's where Kithstep comes in.
Created by someone who works directly with young people in residential care, Kithstep offers practical, accessible resources designed to make learning everyday life skills feel manageable, meaningful and achievable.
Our independence packs break important skills into smaller activities, helping young people build their knowledge and confidence at a pace that works for them.
There is no expectation to know everything, no pressure to get everything right and no single route that everyone must follow.
Because independence isn't about suddenly knowing how to do everything. It's about learning, growing, making choices and knowing where to find support when you need it.
Every young person deserves the opportunity to feel prepared for their future. And every journey begins with a step.
More than a name. A meaning that matters.
When I created Kithstep, I wanted a name that represented something much more meaningful than simply learning how to live independently.
I chose the word Kith because of its connection to friendship, familiarity, belonging and the people we have around us. You may have heard the expression "kith and kin", which refers to friends and family.
For me, that meaning is particularly important. Through my work supporting young people in residential care, I have seen how important positive relationships, encouragement and having someone to turn to can be.
Not every young person has the same family circumstances or support network. Some have experienced uncertainty, significant changes or difficult periods in their childhood. Others may be preparing to leave a place where they have developed relationships and routines that have become familiar to them.
I wanted the name to reflect the importance of connection and belonging, because moving towards independence should never mean feeling that you have to face everything alone.
Then comes Step.
A step represents progress, however big or small. It recognises that becoming independent isn't something that happens overnight. It happens through everyday experiences, building confidence, learning new skills, making mistakes, trying again and discovering what you're capable of.
Every young person has their own starting point. Every young person will move forward in their own way. And every step deserves to be recognised.
When I brought these two words together, Kithstep was born.
To me, Kithstep represents the balance between developing independence and understanding the value of support. It's about helping young people move towards their future while recognising the importance of the people, relationships and experiences that help them along the way.
Because independence doesn't mean doing everything alone. It means having the confidence to move forward, knowing that support is still there when you need it.
That's what Kithstep means to me. And that's the meaning I want to carry through everything we create.
Victoria Hewitt
Founder of Kithstep, and a children's residential support worker in West Lancashire
What we believe
Everyone starts somewhere different
There's no right order and no test at the end. Young people start with whatever matters to them now and move on when they're ready.
Support still matters
Independence isn't doing everything alone. Every pack has room for the people a young person trusts, and a page for their own contacts.
Every step counts
Small wins are real progress. Each activity ends with how confident the young person feels, in their own words, and the certificate marks the end of each line.
Practical, not preachy
Real bills, real appointments, real tenancy agreements. Short pages with something to do, not long lectures.
Made for everyone
Plain words, big tick boxes and short tasks. Every pack comes in large print and a screen-reader Word version, and we'll arrange audio or braille on request.
Honest about what we are
Kithstep is a practical teaching resource. It isn't accredited, and it doesn't replace safeguarding procedures, professional assessment, therapy or clinical advice.
Shaped by everyday work with young people
Kithstep was written by someone who supports young people day to day, and it shows in the way the packs are built.
- Short activities, because 20 minutes fits into a real day and a long booklet rarely gets finished.
- Space for the young person's own words, because their voice should be at the centre of their plans.
- A contacts page in every pack, because knowing who to call is half the battle.
- Notes for staff, so workers know how to open the conversation and when to follow their own procedures.
- A free edition for care-experienced young people, because cost should never be the reason someone goes without.
Help shape Kithstep
Kithstep is new, so there are no reviews here yet, and we won't make any up. If you've used a pack with a young person, or used one yourself, we'd love to hear what worked and what didn't.
With your permission, we'll share real feedback from our pilot services here once they've finished.
Share your feedbackIdeas we're working on
These aren't ready yet. Everything you can buy today is listed on the packs and pricing pages.
An interactive version
A way for young people to work through their stops on a phone and keep track of their progress.
Recorded audio for every pack
For now, audio is arranged on request, and phones can read the Word versions aloud.
New packs chosen with young people
Future topics will be shaped by what young people and services tell us they need most.