Upper House, a St. David's Unit
Upper House is a new three bedded crisis and assessment Unit for both boys and girls, age 8 - 17 years (max 4 years age difference between children and young people at any one time). It provides a same-day placement option, as well as providing a preparation for foster care option with ‘Safe Steps’ placements. It is located close to the sea in Pembrokeshire, in a quiet and private location. It opened in the spring of 2009.
In particular, Upper House focuses on helping children and young people in crisis, and/or those who have had a placement disruption re-establish some stability in their lives before moving on to a more permanent placement solution (foster or residential care). An essential part of achieving a successful transition is ensuring a comprehensive and professional assessment is completed, providing any new placement with both information on needs and guidance in meeting these needs. Such an assessment process is an essential part of what Upper House provides. This includes a detailed psychological assessment, as well as an assessment based upon a Resilience and Social Learning Approach Model. An educational assessment can also be provided under the auspices of St. David’s Education Unit. Upper House can also provide advice and information on possible future placement options on request, as well as supporting a smooth and successful transition by helping with introductory visits to any new placement etc.
Upper House can provide placements for children and young people who need a transitional placement between a secure environment, and a longer-term placement option.It can also provide remand placements.
Upper House can provide placements from just a few days, up to six months (and beyond in exceptional circumstances).
Sharon Mathias is the Registered Manager of Upper House. Sharon and her team have a clear understanding of the special nature of working with children and young people in crisis, and those requiring assessment, preparatory and transition placements. It is recognised that on occasion children and young people’s experiences can make them hostile and oppositional, acting-out angry feelings resulting from previous placement disruptions. It is essential that they are offered a period of stability during which they feel safe enough to express themselves. They also need to feel they are listened to, and have some input into future plans and moves.
Upper House is located a few miles from St. David’s in West Wales. It is a 10 minute drive from St. David’s Education Unit.
Upper House is located in large detached farmhouse within the Pembrokeshire National Park. It has sea views and 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 encouraged to 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 also can contributed significantly to the physical development of Upper House; helping them value the environment and giving them a feeling of genuine empowerment.
The Upper House 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’.
Upper House - Image gallery
