The aim of therapeutic input at Wings School Cumbria is not only to support the children and young people, and the staff working with them, but also to have a positive impact and engagement with the “wider system” including families and professionals working with the young person.
Support of the individual child or young person begins with a baseline clinical psychology assessment and time is taken to understand the young person’s care journey, diagnoses and life experiences. This enables the needs of each young person to be identified and some advice can be given to the young person themselves, their social worker and the staff at Wings School so that their needs can be met during their time at Wings School.
For some young people, individual therapeutic support is required to improve their mental health and/or behaviour and Dr. Kennelly’s wide-ranging skill mix allows this to be offered on-site and without the need to see multiple professionals.
Some young people may require urgent support when they are going through a crisis. As Dr. Kennelly is based on site, assessments can be completed and advice can be gathered very quickly. This often involves a close working relationship and liaison with the CAMHS team.
Staff support is regular and consistent with weekly meetings with care staff, and supervisions, led by Dr Kennelly. The young person’s key worker brings information about their current goals, and provides an update regarding their current situation and wellbeing. Actions are identified that staff need to take to meet the young person’s needs. This could involve working directly with the young people, staff training, managerial support, linking up with the wider system e.g. social workers or family, and any possible further involvement of the clinical team (Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, or School Nurse).
Dr. Kennelly also makes attempts to form positive working relationships with birth and adoptive families, local authorities, health services, youth justice services, independent court appointed psychologists, advocacy services, health commissioners and tier 3 and 4 mental health providers working with the young people (e.g. CAMHS, Forensic CAMHS). This supports a shared understanding around the needs of children and young people. Predictable contact at home for the children and young people is sought (if possible) and this close working enables consistent strategies to be used across site and at home.
This “wider system” support enables the therapeutic input offered by Wings Cumbria to be 360 degree – encompassing not only the young person but all of the professionals working with them – both on and off site – and their families and carers.