Eastnor House, a Marlowe Unit
Eastnor is a four bedded home for both boys and girls, age 11 - 15 years (on admission). It provides a therapeutic placement option for children and young people, primarily on a medium to long-term basis. In particular Eastnor has had most success in working with children and young people with severe attachment disorders, most of whom display disturbed and disturbing behaviour. Many of the children and young people Eastnor has cared for have also had multiple placement disruptions.
Using an understanding of Attachment Theory, and Marlowe Child & Family Services Philosophy, Eastnor has developed a therapeutic approach that begins to address some of the effects seen in the Attachment Disordered child or young person. As such they are often fearful and distrustful of adults generally, and caregivers in particular. Their behaviour can be aggressive, their self-esteem low and their view of themselves both distorted and disturbed. Through a carefully constructed milieu and specific individual therapeutic input, the children and young people at Eastnor gradually begin learn to trust others, as well as trust their own, innate value. As such they can mature successfully and effectively, displaying and experiencing less hostility.
Ian Knight has managed Eastnor since it opened in 2004. Ian and his team have a clear understanding of the importance of helping each individual child/young person experience success in all their lives - in peer relationships, relationships with adults (including carers and, where possible, family), in social situations and in their education. There is an emphasis on utilising the group-living experience as a positive influence in which children and young people can learn to explore the benefits of mutually supportive relationships with peers, with a carefully managed therapeutic milieu.
Eastnor is located in a village a couple of miles from the market town of Newent in Gloucestershire. It is a 15 minute drive both to the M50 motorway and the Marlowe Education Unit at Hartpury.
Eastnor is a large detached family home with a substantial and a well-equipped garden. It is decorated and furnished in a way as to enhance the non-institutional environment of the home. The children and young people are involved in the running of the unit, contributing to the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. This helps them feel valued and worthwhile, directly challenging many of the negative feelings they sometimes have about themselves. They have also contributed significantly to the physical development of Eastnor; helping them value the environment and giving them a feeling of genuine empowerment.
Eastnor are also happy to consider referral enquiries for children and young people who may have experienced mental health problems including depression and psychiatric disorders. Eastnor are experienced in working closely with psychiatric professionals, helping the child or young person cope with and manage difficult symptomology and, where necessary, administering psychotropic medication.
The Eastnor team are committed to equality and diversity, as well as a strong central ethos; to providing each child or young person with individualised and genuinely therapeutic care to meet their often complex needs and to ensuring positive outcomes, especially in the areas of ‘Staying Safe’, ‘Being Healthy’, ‘Enjoying and Achieving’, ‘Making a Positive Contribution’, and ‘Achieving Economic Well-Being’.
Eastnor House - Image gallery
