Springboard
Springboard is a large 5 bedded detached home set in its own grounds situated on the outskirts of Telford and with easy access to the motorway network and public transport.
Young people of both genders aged twelve to seventeen years of age at the time of their admission may live at Springboard; their future plans will be specific to their individualneeds and may well change during their placement in accordance with developments they make. The work we do may be to help them return to the family home, move on to foster care or move into independent living.
Springboard in particular can provide a therapeutic environment for young people with learning disabilities such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders like Autism and Aspergers, by providing them with a model of care aimed at reducing their anxiety levels, improving communication strategies and increasing their coping mechanisms.
We also specialise in working with young people who are emotionally traumatised, suffering severe attachment disorders and who may express themselves through significant self-harming, by helping them to feel safe and to build up trusting relationships with adults, to recognise their emotions and to learn alternative coping mechanisms, in a safe and therapeutic manner.
We have supported many young people with emotional and behavioural patterns to progress successfully into family placement, using a preparation for family placement programme that identifies and works through family placement issues specific to each individual young person.
We anticipate that many of the young people who live at Springboard will require assistance and support in working through their life changes and emotional trauma in order for us to help them achieve positive outcomes and help them to move forward with their lives. The care provided for the young people is based on respect and trust where appropriate boundaries and expectations of behaviours are provided. We aim to promote and support various aspects of the young people's development. This can be achieved by providing a supportive, caring and stimulating environment. This will include initiating, supporting and encouraging participation in various activities, domestic routines and other life skills appropriate to their needs.
Due to the location of Springboard we are able to support young people in managing risks associated with becoming more independent. The young people living with us are encouraged to safely explore and manage various risks associated with today's society whilst being supported to understand the impact risks have on themselves, others and the environment.
The staff team comprises of a Registered Manager, two Senior Residential Childcare Workers, six Residential Childcare Workers and a pool of Sessional Workers. We work in an integrated youth support service which is evidenced through our established links with the local Youth Connexions Services, Youth Offending Service, regular access to the organisations 'Creative Therapists', access to the organisations Ofsted registered school and our regular consultations with placing Social Services departments.
