When Kasey first came to Dovedale House, they struggled with the word ‘no’ as well as their emotional regulation. They also found it difficult to spend time on their own and would continually seek out staff attention, both positive and negative, to meet their need for company. Even just two minutes of being by themselves could be too much. They very much needed adults around at all times to guide them and help them regulate.

This clearly was unsustainable in the long-term and the Dovedale team worked with Kasey to spend more time comfortably by themselves. As well as introducing structure and boundaries for Kasey, the team introduced rewards for time spent positively by themselves and over time, the positive impact became clear. Kasey was able to regulate their emotions very well and spend time productively on their own, something they have maintained well ever since.

They also supported Kasey to behave in a more socially acceptable way by acting as role models and consistently challenging any examples of unacceptable sexist or other derogatory language and behaviour.

At the same time, Kasey’s parent was actively seeking for them to return home. The team supported them to access PACE training and worked closely with them to help apply those principles of ‘playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy at home.

The team also worked with Kasey’s school, delivering PACE training with staff there to ensure a 360-degree approach was applied at every touchpoint for this young person. When it became clear Kasey needed a new school to meet his needs, the team advocated fiercely for him and helped find a more suitable provision.

With hard work from all sides, and this all-encompassing approach to their care and support, Kasey is now preparing to return home to live with their family. They are looking ahead to their future having had the support of positive role models all around at Dovedale, modelling how positive relationships and behaviour should be.

Even when Kasey returns home, the Dovedale team will remain on hand to support them and their family if they need it.