The homes therapeutic care approach which is firmly grounded in the day-to-day care provided by residential and School staff, who work to create a safe environment in which young women feel they are well cared for and contained. We aim to do this through providing a careful balance of structure, nurture, challenge and engagement .The belief is that this will enable the children and young people to build constructive attachments to members of the staff team and through these attachments begin to develop a sense of value and belonging and thereby begin the healing process. We therefore place considerable emphasis on the role of the young persons allocated link worker and the provision of staff training and consultation to enable staff to gain the psychological perspective that can give meaning to behaviour and an increased understanding of presenting difficulties as well as to assist in the development of appropriate strategies for responding.
An eclectic approach to intervention techniques based on individual need is adopted with the twofold aim of helping the girls/ young women understand the effects of past abuse on themselves and on significant others in their lives, and offering a framework in which the young women can move forward in their lives.
Our approach is underpinned by attachment theory and an understanding of impact of trauma and family disruption on young people’s emotional and behavioural development.
A range of clinical and therapeutic services are provided to support this approach and the individual young person as identified below
Cornerways has chosen to contract with The Ashwood Practice who are respected and established providers of a wide range of psychological and psychiatric services in order to provide a comprehensive range of therapeutic services.
The service provided through our partnership with the Practice are overseen by Sylvia Duncan, BSc (Hons) B.Phil. Clin. Psych. AFBPS Consultant Clinical Psychologist and family therapist in consultation with Sara Milner service manager. Sylvia specialises in therapeutic intervention for children, young people and families with a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, but in particular those recovering from family disruption and childhood trauma.
The clinicians have expertise in work with Looked After Children and Family Consultancy and have significant experience of working with Local Authority Social Services teams, adoption and fostering agencies and residential care providers.
A full list of the practice clinicians detailing their qualifications and experience is available on request.
Through this partnership we provide the following:
Psychological Assessments
Assessments of all new admissions to our residential homes will be undertaken by a clinical Psychologist. The nature of the assessment may vary slightly depending on individual needs and any previous assessments undertaken but will occur in all cases as the primary purpose is to interpret assessed needs into a therapeutic care plan . In most cases the assessment will involve full review of all relevant paperwork, discussions with involved professionals/family, meetings with the young person and completion of a full written assessment report.
In some cases referral stage or pre placement psychological or psychiatric consultations may be deemed appropriate by Cornerways management team to inform decision making and care planning processes; for example where specific mental health needs are indicated or needs are particularly complex. This will be subject to agreement and commission by the placing authority.
Individual Therapy
A range of psychotherapeutic services are available using various psychological modalities including analytical psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT), solution focussed therapy, counselling, integrative therapy and family therapy.
Young women will be provided with individual therapy from a therapist suited to their identified needs if and when they are felt to be ready and able to benefit from this. Therapy will usually occur at weekly intervals, offsite and be supported by the young persons identified care worker who may also be involved in sessions and attend in the young woman’s absence or consult with the therapist.
Regular Staff Team Consultancy from designated Consultant Clinical Psychologists to our three care teams, and management team.
Training provided to all Cornerways staff on ‘Therapeutic Models of Working and Caring and Using Consultancy to Inform and Support Practice’ as well as ongoing training to continue to develop and support the therapeutic practice approach to working.
Crisis Consultation/Support
Available for care teams and/or the professional network where there are serious concerns about a young woman’s presentation and placement stability. Via Pre arranged bookable sessions for such purposes.
Psychiatric Treatment, Assessment, Follow Up and Monitoring Appointments.
Where there is an identified need for psychiatric input if required will be accessed either via Surrey CAMHs team (subject to cross health authority/ trust funding agreement) if available or via our clinical service providers. Additional fees may apply to this service.
For information about these services contact Sara Milner, Service manager on 01293 826840 or at saramilner@cornerways.org
