Mill Farm House provides a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment which is free from discrimination. Children and young people can be supported to build resilience and enjoy positive experiences whilst building on their independence and life skills to prepare them for adulthood. The emphasis is on providing support which is very much tailored to individual needs.
“ Our absolute mission is to achieve reunification of children and young people to their family or a long term foster placement as safely and quickly as possible. ”
Capacity to Protect Assessments can be carried out by the Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience in this area. This work will take place where there are identified risks of abuse to the child or young person from their parent or carer. The psychologist with input from the staff team will undertake a Capacity to Protect Intervention Plan to determine, if the appropriate levels of intervention are in place, a child or young person could return to the family setting or an alternative family setting (long term foster care). The psychologist can help to explore with the child or young person and staff team why behavioural difficulties and risk-taking behaviour occurs (functional analysis) and will have input into the development of Positive Behaviour Support Plans and Risk Enabling Assessments. Some children and young people will work directly with the psychologist in relation to ongoing family work.
A psychiatrist will also offer advice and guidance in relation to the mental health needs of children and young people in placement and will offer advice around any medication regime a young person may be subject to. Some children and young people may be assessed by our psychiatrist, if requested by the local authority.
The clinicians may visit the home on a regular basis to work with young people where appropriate and to provide consultative services with the staff team. The clinicians will discuss with staff any issues that are of concern but, more importantly, will work with children, young people and staff to develop strategies to help them understand their behaviour and work towards reducing incidents of aggression or potential risk to themselves and others. Clinicians will also work closely with parents/carers, foster carers and social workers to develop strategies for successful re-unification planning.
Achieve reunification to the family or long-term foster placement as safely and quickly as possible where this is felt to be the most appropriate outcome.
Provide opportunities for each young person to learn, grow and make informed choices about their future, whilst offering an environment in which they can take time to repair and move forward from bad experiences in their life.
Provide a physically and emotionally supportive residential environment within established boundaries.
Respect and dignity for every individual regardless of their race, gender, cultural background or ability.
An ethos and atmosphere that is conducive to personal growth, whilst taking all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of harm to self or others.
A caring, nurturing and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to reach their potential, building on strengths and celebrating individual achievement.
A safe environment, free from abuse in its many forms, including bullying and any behaviour that is disrespectful of the individual or groups of individuals or their family or community.
Individual Education packages for each young person, which will both aid the reparative process and will offer them the chance to maximise their future life choices.
A framework of support in which the child or young person can be brought to confront the meaning and significance of their behaviour, thereby opening up the possibility of change.
A working partnership with each child or young person in co-operation with other agencies, to provide a continuity and consistency of care that will benefit the child or young person.
The home transports young people to and from its own independent school, ID academy. (please refer to the website for extensive details about the school)
