Bryn-y-Mor, a St. David's Unit
‘Bryn-y-Mor’ is a four bedded home providing therapeutic Care for boys. The age range is 8-18 (with a maximum of 4 years age difference). Primarily, it offers a medium to longer-term placement option to boys who have emotional and behavioural and/or Pervasive Developmental Disorders (such as Autism or Aspergers Syndrome) and/or Mild to Moderate Learning Disabilities. Bryn-y-Mor also offers specific intervention programmes address offending behaviour and to prevent recidivism.
‘Bryn-y-Mor’ is managed by Sue Williams B.A(Hons),(Social Work). Sue is an experienced manager with particular skills and interests in young people with a variety of behavioural difficulties, including those with very high dependency needs.
‘Bryn-y-Mor’ is located not far from the town of Haverfordwest. It is a two-storey house set in extensive grounds. It is very well equipped with facilities to interest most boys, including a variety of sports and outdoor activity equipment. The interior is furnished and decorated to ensure a homely, warm and non-institutionalised environment. This is an essential part of the therapeutic milieu, allowing the boys to experience the benefit of a nurturing experience. All the boys have a spacious bedroom of their own, and have access to several large communal rooms. Sue also places great emphasis meeting the health needs of the boys with a good, home-cooked, balanced meals, plentiful exercise and sleep all being crucial terms of the physical development of growing children and teenagers. Further, ‘Bryn-y-Mor’ endeavours to give the boys the necessary structure and socialisation opportunities they need.
Sue and her team provide the boys with access to, and encouragement to engage in positive social activities in and outside ‘Bryn-y-Mor’. Engagement in productive social activities provides a network of positive peer influences, healthy diversions from negative activities and a beneficial effect of self-esteem.
At ‘Bryn-y-Mor’ there is a high level of expectation in terms of behaviour, and an understanding that troubled young people make mistakes. Successful placements are born out of consistency and a commitment to the young person as an individual. Like all Marlowe Child & Family Services Units, ‘Bryn-y-Mor’ has an extremely low level of Placement Breakdown.
‘Bryn-y-Mor’ also places very high value on supporting young people to educational success. Sue and her team are actively involved in supporting the young person's P.E.P, whether they attend St David's Education Unit, a local comprehensive or college.
Over a number of years ‘Bryn-y-Mor’ has achieved significant positive outcomes in terms of young people successfully moving on whether this is back to their family of origin, a foster family or on to independence. These successes have been noted by Placing Agencies, parents and the young people themselves.
Bryn-y-Mor - Image gallery
