Oaklands, a St. David's Home
Oaklands is a four-bedded home providing therapeutic care for girls 11-18 years, with psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Oaklands has worked successfully over many years with girls who present with behavioural challenges and vulnerabilities. This includes girls with histories of sexual vulnerability and mental health problems, including depression. Sometimes these young people have also developed maladaptive ‘coping mechanisms’ such as absconding, risk-taking, eating difficulties and self-injury. Some may have issues associated with early diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Further, some may also have pervasive developmental disorders, such as Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome and/or educational and learning problems.
Oaklands is managed by Jenny Berrigan. Jenny has many years experience of caring for disturbed and disturbing young people both as a worker and a manager. The staff team at Oaklands are committed to the young people and the belief they can facilitate genuine change and growth in the young people they care for.
Oaklands is located in the countryside a few miles outside the town of Haverfordwest. It is a large, ‘airy’ house with accommodation over two floors. Each young person has their own spacious bedroom, decorated and furnished with their full input and ideas. There is ample communal space to allow young people both to share each others company or find privacy if they want, which ever suits their frame of mind. There is a lounge, TV room, conservatory (that is used for art and craft) and a dining room. Oaklands is also set up to manage mobility difficulties with especially equipped bathrooms and ground floor sleeping accommodation. Nevertheless, the home still retains its homely appearance and atmosphere.
Oaklands grounds are extensive and well provided with games and equipment, including a trampoline. Young people at Oaklands are encouraged to develop confidence, self-esteem and self-expression. They are encouraged and supported to make friends in the community and develop interests outside of the home. They can bring friends and family to visit Oaklands with the confidence that it is a welcoming and friendly place to be.
Oaklands provides a structured programme capable of managing difficult behaviours, whilst retaining an emphasis on meeting individual needs. All young people have access to appropriate therapy with an Assistant clinical Psychologist. Marlowe (St. David’s) Assistant Psychologist Christine May also consults to Jenny and her team, providing crucial specialist input to Behaviour Management Programmes, as well as advice and guidance to the staff team. Psychiatric assessment and oversight can be organised if required.
This philosophy is rooted in a Humanistic approach. However, therapeutic interventions from the staff on a day-to-day basis (as well as individual therapy sessions) draw upon eclectic elements of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and psychotherapeutic ideas. A similar philosophical approach informs Behaviour Management Programmes and Reactive Plans, along with a comprehensive assessment and regularly evaluated formal psychological testing. Comprehensive written reports detailing the assessments, Behaviour Management Programmes and Reactive Plans and written updates on individual therapy are provided to the placing authority on a regular basis; as well as general monthly updates, incident reports etc.
Oaklands has a stable, experienced, well-trained and well-led staff team committed to their work and to individual young people. Programmes of care are supported by high staffing levels and waking-night staff where necessary. Oaklands is a single sex unit. As such it is well suited to managing young people who are highly sexually vulnerable, either through reasons of previous abuse or exploitative experiences, learning disabilities and/or risk taking behaviour (including absconding).
Over a number of years Oaklands has achieved impressive outcomes and consistently positive Inspection Reports. Young People themselves, along with their families and Placing Agencies have all reported significant improvements in most key areas of the young persons life. Further, Placing Agencies have been consistently complimentary about Oaklands effective communication systems and the quality of written reports. For older teenagers there are very good links to local colleges; as well as the staff being ‘geared-up’ to help young people move successfully towards young adulthood and maximum independence. Oaklands largely focuses on medium to longer-term placements. However, comprehensive initial assessments are also available, as is the ability to move young people on to a family placement or supported independence.
Oaklands - Image gallery
