Core psychology support services for children’s residential homes

This package may suit your needs if you are already fairly confident in providing a trauma-informed therapeutic approach for the young people in your care, but would value further psychology input to develop and maintain your therapeutic approach. We need to be upfront in saying that the level and depth of therapeutic support outlined in our Bronze package would be unlikely to contribute towards recognition as a Therapeutic Residential provider. However, there should be no doubt that the regular therapeutic/psychological input would contribute positively to Ofsted and Regulation 44 inspections and outcomes, particularly if implemented rigorously.

You might opt for our Bronze package for similar reasons to the Silver package – budget and/or existing knowledge and experience. Within this more limited package, not everything is included (and there is certainly no space for a kitchen sink!).

What does our Bronze package include?

The intention is that regular staff support/consultation will contribute to trauma-informed Care Planning and practice, ensuring a therapeutic parenting framework for all aspects of care, including risk and behaviour management. The underpinning therapeutic model to this support is Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy(DDP)/PACE, and includes concepts and ideas from the Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC) model and Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) as applicable. For specific needs such as neurodivergence or other specific mental health needs, appropriate therapeutic approaches will be included.

The structure of the consultations is largely as follows, but flexibly applied as needed:

  • 0.75 hours – general reflection/discussion with managers and/or key staff about current concerns
  • 1.5 hours – detailed consultation with the larger staff group about the young people
  • 0.75 hours – review of any relevant documents/brief input about specific topics/incidents previously identified/time with staff or young person/s as required

Where required, clinical supervision will be provided to managers and debriefs regarding specific significant incidents delivered.

In addition to the 3 hours ‘in the room’ with staff, our clinician would incur 1.5 hours administrative time per consultation. This includes preparation prior to the actual consultation (based on information about the young people provided by the residential manager prior to the consultation – i.e. risk/behaviour management plans, any incidents etc) and a brief summary write-up following the consultation.

This training is core and generally would form the foundation for any further training, consultation and intervention to care home staff and ultimately, albeit indirectly, the young people themselves. This indirect approach is nonetheless crucial therapeutic intervention impacting directly upon the young person.

  • The training is firmly based upon Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)/PACE principles and provides robust understanding of the impact of early trauma and strategies/techniques for managing emotional and behavioural challenges in a trauma-informed way. Ideas and strategies from other theoretical models (e.g. Non-violent Resistance) are incorporated to ensure the training is most helpful for those caring for young people who frequently present with complex needs and high levels of risk.
  • It is anticipated that all staff, including management, would attend this training, to ensure that the trauma-informed/therapeutic approach is embedded within the residential service/s at all levels.
  • The training would ideally be repeated on an annual basis, as an entry point for new staff and as a refresher for existing staff.
  • The training comprises a total of 10 hours input plus 4 hours clinician preparation time, divisible as follows:
  • 2 x 5 hour sessions (plus 4 hours preparation time)

OR

  • as agreed between management and the Gateway Psychology clinician and management.

The content of this training will be informed by initial assessment of the young person/s as well as ongoing review and consultation with managers and staff. In addition to formulation training around the individual young persons’ needs, it is anticipated that the training will address key areas of concern to more fully understand and address the young persons’ needs. This indirect approach should be considered crucial therapeutic intervention impacting directly upon the young person.

The training will have at its core the trauma-informed principles of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)/PACE), and will incorporate other psychological/therapeutic modalities as appropriate. Topics such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Self-harm, Eating difficulties, Autism Spectrum Conditions, Blocked Care, therapeutic de-escalation, preverbal trauma, amongst others, may be addressed in the training. Throughout, the young person’s history and the impact of their early trauma will be taken into account in considering these topics. Ideas and strategies for managing the young person’s needs in light of the concerns will form a key part of the training sessions.

Psychological support service costs

  • Our intensive psychological support packages typically range between £27,500–£35,000 per year (over 12 months)
  • The exact cost will reflect the level of input you need, including how often consultations take place and how frequently young people move within your service
  • We’ll also consider the number of homes and young people you support, to ensure the package fits your needs
  • We will always provide you with a full quote, with a breakdown of each service

Working with Gateway Psychology

If you are responsible for a residential care home for children and are exploring options for intensive psychological support, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Our team has extensive experience in supporting children’s residential services to strengthen and embed trauma-informed, therapeutic approaches.

We would be pleased to arrange an initial discussion to better understand your service, consider your goals, and explore how we may be able to provide meaningful and effective support.

Please do not hesitate to contact us to begin the conversation.