The Children’s Accommodation Service looks after some of the
most vulnerable, damaged, challenged and challenging children from
our community. These children sometimes express their vulnerability
through their behaviour, which can cause rejection by some of the
very people our children most need to be close to.
This is why our therapeutic, caring, safe and educative style
along with an understanding of why children behave as they do, is
so important.
To meet the needs of children, who have experienced significant
trauma, requires a special team of staff. The following
principles guide the development of staff practice, training and
supervision across the Children’s Accommodation Service:
Building resilience in vulnerable children
This concept, introduced right from induction and reinforced in
regular practice development workshops, is a strengths-based
approach. Helping children to build their resilience,
following very significant past trauma, builds well on the social
care value base and provides staff with a coherent perspective for
assessing needs, planning interventions and reviewing children's
progress. Children need to know and understand that they are
each special and valued in their own right. In assisting the
children of today, we are preparing the parents of tomorrow to make
a real difference, in their own and other people’s lives.
'Sorted'
Learning for life and preparation for independence is
corporately provided through the ‘Sorted’ programme. This provides
both a framework for engaging children in growing up, along with a
record of achievement to build their confidence and an appropriate
future point of reference and information as they mature.
Understanding attachment theory
Closely associated with resilience, attachment theory provides
staff with essential underpinning knowledge of how ''young minds
grow in relationships'', (Alan Schore). As well as helping staff
and carers' to understand the origins of behavioural distress and
emotional need. A working knowledge of attachment helps guide
the way working relationships with our children can promote the
restoration of more robust mental health.
Respect for children
Our practice is underpinned by a determination not to stigmatise
children who, while needing to learn responsibility for their
behaviour and the choices they make, are not to be blamed for
difficulties in their families and communities of origin.
Knowledge and skills development
Through their work with trainers and managers, staff are
encouraged to develop their appreciation of ‘what works’ in
childcare and what makes for good outcomes for children. There is a
comprehensive training and practice development programme,
delivering both formal qualifications and delivering the benefits
from the most recent and appropriate research in our are of
practice.
After care and preparation for later life
Our relationships with children do not stop when they leave the
Children’s Accommodation service. Especially for those who do not
have sustaining relationships with kinship networks. We
expect to continue to provide a secure base, which can continue to
foster social competence and a safe point of future reference and
support for children.