Following an Ofsted inspection in October 2010, Companions received an overall Outstanding Judgement.
Companions is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children & young people & expects staff & volunteers to share this commitment.
'Companions' is a unique residential rehabilitation home and independent school for young people aged between 12-17 years 11 months. Companions can facilitate Transitional Outreach Work and Direct Outreach Work.
Our structured program
is tailored to meet individual need and
focuses on the underlying issues that may be associated with substance misuse, alcohol and other challenging and dysfunctional behaviours.
The length of time a young person can expect to stay at 'Companions' will be determined by their individualised plan and commitment to want to engage in their programme.
What Rehabilitation means:
The word "rehabilitation" comes from the Latin "rehabilitare" meaning to make fit again. "Rehabilitation" - the process of restoration of skills by a person so as to regain maximum self-sufficiency and make capable of returning to society and functioning as a law-abiding member of the community.
Brief information on how we do this:
We do not place a time scale to which a young person can stay with us as individual circumstances vary. However a minimum stay of 6 months is advisable. Experience has shown us placements of 6 months or more have a better chance to continue to do well when they leave us. Stability and a trusting relationship with staff members, enable the young person to discover themselves and address issues which have caused distress. Time allows the young person to set and achieve goals whilst equipping them with skills to break down future barriers. Within the six months a young person can gain qualifications which could give the them sustainability for their future.
Troubled young people have often missed out on education provision. This in itself can have a significant effect on their self-esteem and confidence. One of the ways we deal with this is to tackle the learning blocks that many of the young people have developed over the years, and then to empower them with a range of skills and techniques that can be used to boost and strengthen their learning.
‘Companions’ allow young people to reach their full potential by:
- ensuring they are listened to.
- providing opportunities to allow them to explore
- keeping the promise of a competent, understanding & committed staff team
- Not placing time-scales on how long a young person can stay with us.
- Providing transitional outreach work to allow the young person leaving Hunters Moon to live in the community whilst still receiving a level of support from staff.
- Not making promises we can not keep.
- Ensuring young people are not only kept safe but they feel safe, welcomed and part of a family home.
We are registered and inspected by Ofsted as a Residential Rehabilitation Home & Independent School. We are also registered to deliver the ASDAN Program.
Companions recognise progress, commitment and achievement via praise, awards and certificates. The home arranges an annual event to celebrate such and invites ex-residents and professionals to join in with the fun activities and the giving and receiving of certificates and trophies.
Sports day is also an annual event which provides team building, competitiveness, and lots of fun.
Raising money for charity is something we are very proud of.. Many charities including the RSPCA, Children in Need, Red Nose, Cancer Research have benefit from the various fund raising events which have been organised by the young people and Staff at Companions. Being able to help others gives a sense of pride, and allows the fundraisers to experience the feel good feeling of being in a position to help. It gives the young people knowledge of the wider picture and global issues i.e. famine, war victims, environmental disasters, man-made disasters, illness and cruelty. The charities are chosen by the young people and fund raising events have ranged from making and selling Christmas cards, raffles, bric a brac stalls, baking and making sweets, cakes, running, supporting national charities.
Companions sponsor a local lads football team which helps to purchase kits and equipment, 2 animals at a local wildlife sanctuary and plans are in place for 2010 to adopt some lambs. By doing this it will secure their future and they will live their natural life in the knowledge they are safe from slaughter.
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