| Young Foundations
at a glance: Young Foundations provides care for young
people aged 12 to17 who suffer from emotional and behavioural disorders,
mental health problems and learning disabilities. Principally, we
help youngsters with challenging behaviour and complex needs.
With three residential homes in the North East, young people are
referred from all over the region, as well as other parts of the
country. The specialist 'wrap-around' range of care includes short-term
crisis intervention through to long-term placement.
As a young and innovative organisation, the unique therapeutic
service provided by Young Foundations is paying excellent dividends,
with many young people having their lives put back on track as a
result of the care and attention they have received.
Client: Mark - 16 years old
Mark is a 16-year-old who after numerous broken placements, and
several brushes with the law, spent six months with Young Foundations.
He has now stabilised his life, culminating with his return home
to live with his parents and going back to college to resume his
studies.
Client: John - 14 years old
14-year-old John was referred to Young Foundations after a history
of broken placements brought on by his violent and aggressive behaviour,
aggravated by a learning disability created by severe epilepsy.
He spent only two months at Young Foundations, but during that time
he underwent a series of multi-disciplinary assessments, including
psychiatric, psychological and speech and language tests. By the
end of his stay, his behaviour had settled down and he left to return
to live with his parents, with a clear plan and strategy to manage
his condition.
In a letter to Young Foundations, John's parents thanked staff
for the care and compassion provided to their son. They said: "It
was reassuring for us to know he was in safe hands. He seems to
have learned a great deal whilst he was with you and we are now
looking forward to a positive future."
Client: David- 16 years old
16-year-old David with Downs Syndrome and autism, was admitted with
the intention of being a short stay placement. However, his placing
authority then expressed a wish for him to stay at Young Foundations
until he was 18-years-old. He would be carefully transferred to
adult services.
David is now 17 and he has made remarkable progress in his communication
skills - he doesn't speak, but has made excellent progress with
the staff and teacher using Makaton to converse with him. His personal
hygiene has improved significantly along with his social skills,
which were not good on his arrival. He couldn't go shopping without
breakages or being incontinent in a shop, but now he is enjoying
a more independent and secure lifestyle. He loves to hoover and
does a little ironing with assistance. He is undertaking a structured
programme of education, utilising the methods of the well-recognised
ASDAN approach with the Young Foundations teacher that enables him
to receive certificates for his achievements. Although he will most
likely need support and guidance for the rest of his life, it is
thought that the time he is at the residential home will equip him
with the ability to communicate, make choices and do many more things
for himself.
Client: Jane - 16 years old
14-year-old Jane has behavioural and emotional difficulties. She
was placed at Young Foundations with the intention of being here
for a very short-term placement, most likely just 6 to 8 weeks.
However, her placing authority are now considering a longer term
placement and are pleased with the care and development work that
Young Foundations has performed so far. Having experienced significant
improvement recently, she herself has requested to remain at Young
Foundations long-term until she is 18-years-old.
She is beginning to build positive relationships with staff, and
in the local community with other young people she has made friends
with at school. She has been attending a local mainstream school
arranged by the Young Foundations teacher. This has been blended
with taking arranged 'time out' as she has worked through emotional
issues. She has pursued work experience at a local stable which
was arranged by the school and this is having a very positive effect.
Further work experience placements are planned.
Barbara Thompson, Young Foundation's Director of Services,
on success:
"The ultimate goal of Young Foundations is to provide our young
people with the stability they need, return them to a family setting,
give them back their independence and allow them to put their past
behind them.
"These are not bad children, but young people who may have
come from a broken home or have a learning disability like autism
that can affect their behaviour.
"Many of them have huge learning gaps because they have not
been at school. As well as providing them with the one-to-one care
they need, Young Foundations also gives them on-site educational
support and organised activities that play a huge part in getting
their lives back on track." |
