We nurture individual strengths and encourage young people to approach challenges positively by developing confidence, motivation, independence, self-awareness and a sense of self-worth.
Our children and young people enjoy a safe, stable and caring home in a variety of residential settings. There are 10 residential bungalows and three smaller houses on site. All are fully self-contained within the grounds. Each bungalow has between three and eight single bedrooms and most bedrooms have en-suite facilities.
Each bungalow/house has its own kitchen, lounge, activity room and sensory/ soft room as well as office and sleep-in accommodation. All bungalows have access to a garden.
All young people are encouraged and supported to personalise their own rooms, parents and families are also involved in this throughout their transition to Underley Garden. All have their own music and entertainment systems i.e. Smart TV and Games Consoles. The fittings and furnishings in each house reflect the needs of the group as a whole.
For example, the ‘activity’ space in a younger children’s house may be a playroom, while this area is used as a quieter place for the computer or individual pastimes in a house for 16-19 year olds.
Each bungalows purpose reflects the needs of different age and ability groups. The age, interests, experience and qualifications of staff are matched to meet the range of age and need. Young people are matched following a thorough referral assessment and will be matched appropriately with other young people with similar needs and age.
Our bungalows all have particular focused specialisms. We have houses which:
- Support young people who have been assessed as being within the more severe range on the Autistic Spectrum, many of whom have challenging behaviour.
- Are geared towards helping young people improve their independence and gain essential life skills.
- Offer complex care provision for young people who require constant supervision and support up to 24 hours a day.
“Home is the centre of a young person’s life, providing care, warmth and security. The emphasis, within the homes, is on building and maintaining friendships and relationships.”
All our young people are supported by keyworkers whose approach is totally focused on the overall development of each young person entrusted to their care. The quality of the relationship between the young person and adult is key to our young people’s success.
We encourage close and honest relationships because this helps to establish mutual trust and respect. It also invites our young people to understand that as well as caring for them we care about them.