Five River’s children’s home, Beck Lodge, has been rated ‘GOOD’ in all areas following a recent Ofsted inspection. Beck Lodge provides specialist care in Salisbury, Wiltshire, for one child only. The report highlights the homely, safe environment and the nurture and creativity of the staff within the home. “The staff have embraced the child’s interests and hobbies, and this is reflected in the homely environment. The child enjoys fishing, and the staff have decorated their bedroom with this in mind. The child has been supported to create an under-the-sea feature wall in the dining room. It is ..read more

Five River’s Leeds-based children’s home, Fountain House, has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in all areas following a recent Ofsted inspection. The report has no recommendations for improvement. Fountain House provide safe, homely environments and specialist trauma-informed care for children with complex needs. The report, published this week, captures the essence of the home with its opening statement. “Children love living in this home. They have fun, and their laughter and personalities shine throughout the home. They are encouraged to be their own person and they are relaxed and confident.” The ..read more

In a recent Ofsted inspection, the Spires School in Salisbury, one of our specialist Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) education provisions, has been rated ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features. Offering a range of rich learning opportunities for pupils aged 6-18 years, the school has been praised in the report for its ‘carefully structured educational and therapeutic support and for recognising the importance of empathy and kindness’. The inspection highlighted how these approaches have helped students re-engage with learning, and flourish in education. The inspector commends the school ..read more

Five River’s Doncaster School, is delighted to announce it has been awarded the prestigious Silver Attachment and Trauma Sensitive Schools Award (ATSSA). This accolade highlights the commitment they have to their students and the innovative approach they take in a trauma-sensitive educational environment. Field Gate School provides a space where all students can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. The Assessor, Dr Jennifer Nock, interacted with staff and pupils at the school to gain full experience of the setting and had so many positive words to share throughout the report. “There ..read more

By Richard Cross The notion of paradoxes in psychoanalytical thinking is often associated with the work of the Austrian psychoanalyst and psychiatrist Otto Rank (1884- 1939). He was a close collaborator of Sigmund Freud and significantly contributed to psychoanalysis. One of his key contributions was the exploration of paradoxes in the human psyche and their relevance to psychological development and therapeutic practice. Paradoxes were closely tied to understanding the human experience and the individual’s struggle for autonomy and self-realisation. As individuals, we often face inherent para ..read more

By Richard Cross Understanding group dynamics from a psychodynamic perspective is essential in residential childcare settings. This understanding is crucial for providing effective care to children who have experienced maltreatment, neglect and abuse. Group dynamics refer to a group’s interactions, relationships, and behaviour patterns. The psychodynamic approach focuses on the unconscious processes that influence these dynamics. Residential childcare workers and foster carers play a vital role in creating a therapeutic environment for children (the healing power of relationships). This unders ..read more

Five River’s Doncaster School, is delighted to announce it has been awarded the prestigious Silver Attachment and Trauma Sensitive Schools Award (ATSSA). This accolade highlights the commitment they have to their students and the innovative approach they take in a trauma-sensitive educational environment. Field Gate School provides a space where all students can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. The Assessor, Dr Jennifer Nock, interacted with staff and pupils at the school to gain full experience of the setting and had so many positive words to share throughout the report. “There ..read more

Saul Hillman, Carolina Villegas, Katharine Anderson, Asa Kerr-Davis & Richard Cross This is a follow-up study from our first paper “Exploring Attachment and Internal Representations in Looked-After Children” that was published in March 2020. It is well-known that children who come into care have often experienced significant adversity, and frequently a discontinuity of care in the form of placement changes and potentially breakdowns. Due to such experiences, such children often develop: Insecure attachments and/or attachments characterised by anxiety or avoidance. Attachment is a clinica ..read more

Play is a fundamental aspect of a child’s development, encompassing physical, social, cognitive, and emotional growth. Rough-and-tumble play and bullying are two types of play that often raise concerns among educators and parents. Although both involve physical interactions, it is crucial to discern their distinctions. This article explores the differences between rough-and-tumble play and bullying, emphasizing their characteristics and impacts on children. Additionally, guidance will be provided for teachers to effectively support and manage these types of play in educational settings. The c ..read more

We are going to the Pantomime! Carers and their foster and birth children are invited, in Birmingham,  to see Jack and Beanstalk Pantomime on Wednesday 3rd January 2024. Contact Nicki or your supervising social worker to find out more. The post Bromsgrove Office-Christmas Panto 2023! appeared first on Five Rivers Child Care ..read more