The Social/Care Environment

Young people who have suffered in the ways described will need an environment which feels safe and reassuring, will alleviate their underlying and constant sense of anxiety, and will give them a sense of feeling held, emotionally and physically, within a clearly established set of limits.

Many of them will need somewhere that will allow them to form attachments and to develop a capacity to trust. Through being empowered to make informed choices, each young person will eventually become truly independent - to think and act independently as part of a wider social and cultural whole, and to develop the capacity to form and sustain attachments in adult life.

Our general belief is that the milieu or living environment will promote the development of a person's spiritual, emotional, social, educational and physical well-being.

These developments are not left to chance. We believe that:

• Individuals coming to Fellside have the resilience, resources and strength to resolve difficulties. Our job is to help unlock those strengths.
• We will adapt with young people in helping them to develop and realise their dreams.
• We will focus on what is possible and changeable rather than what is impossible and intractable.

Living at Fellside ensures an integrated learning experience within a physical, social and educational environment.

All aspects of the programme are regarded as part of an overall living-learning experience, from structured education and small discussion groups, through to informal trips out, buying new clothes, interacting with peers and adults, spending time with individual staff or playing in the grounds.

Use of Leisure Time

At Fellside, activities are an integral part of daily living. A wide variety of facilities are available and include hobby material, televisions, radio, music systems, computers, books and games, newspapers and magazines etc. Full use is made of local facilities, so enabling links to be developed with the local community.

Young people are involved in the decision making process about activities, holidays and general leisure pursuits and are encouraged to make choices that help to develop their interests, skills and abilities. All appropriate safety regulations are followed.

Young people are allowed, if appropriate, to have their own personal televisions, radios and music systems in their own rooms.

Young people are not permitted to watch videos or play video games, which are certified as older than their age.

Pastoral Care Team

Each young person who comes to Fellside has their programme co-ordinated by a Pastoral Care Team of two co-workers. Their role will be to integrate the care, education and therapeutic programme from introduction and admission, throughout the young person's time with us and beyond. They will also play a key role as advocate for that young person.

The Pastoral Carer will meet, formally, with the young person as frequently as necessary but at least weekly.

After-Care

It is our policy and practice to maintain contact with young people after they have left Fellside, and they may phone at any time for advice and support.

We also offer a structured after-care programme, which includes outreach support and visits back to the community, which is tailored according to individual needs. We will work in partnership with Local Authorities and other professionals in the provision of these services.

Health

Each young person who comes to Fellside is required to register with our local surgery. Similar arrangements are made with dental and ophthalmic practices. On admission, young people will have medical and dental check-ups and, thereafter, six monthly appointments.

All aspects of personal care and healthy, safe lifestyles are discussed openly and frankly as part of the education programme, although the young people are also accorded their rights to privacy and confidentiality.

Everyone at Fellside can expect an enjoyable, wholesome, nutritious and varied diet, which contains an element of choice. The young people are actively involved in menu planning and preparing meals.

At Fellside, we actively promote the discouragement of smoking, alcohol, drug and solvent misuse amongst young people.

Contact with Family and Friends

While young people are placed at Fellside, we do encourage, and facilitate as appropriate, contact with family and friends; indeed this is likely to be part of the therapeutic process in helping the family and young person achieve their goals. Regular contact is intended to foster a sense of origin and social and cultural identity, as well as assisting in providing an understanding of their present placement and keeping open the options for family relationships in later life.

The frequency and type of contact will be determined by the care plan. Families may also visit Fellside, and it is possible for us to arrange overnight accommodation locally, where this would be beneficial. Any visits to Fellside should be arranged in advance.

Religious and Cultural Contacts

Fellside does not follow any formal religious observance, but young people who wish to practice a particular faith are supported in doing so on an individual level. If it seemed unlikely that a young person could be supported in this way, whether for geographical or other considerations, this would have to be taken into account before a placement was considered.

In the same way, we endeavour to support young people in relation to their cultural links, and where this is felt not to be possible in an appropriate way, it will be discussed prior to admission.