ABOUT US

What we Aim to Achieve:

We aim to care for and support children and young people who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.  We understand that this can affect self-esteem, education, health, behaviours and relationships.  We believe that using the right approach will help us to understand the child and young person and help them to reach their goals and their full potential, whatever that may be.    

The Model used in the Homes is 'PACE ' and the approach is 'Proactive Approaches'.  

PACE:

We understand that trauma and attachment difficulties have profound implications for the structure of the brain and make it very difficult for children who have experienced abuse and neglect to develop an integrative, stable and coherent brain.  This compromises all aspects of learning, which further limits mental health. 

We help children move away from a focus on self protective strategies and make use of relationships in a healthier way.  Relationships are a critical component of how children and young people are supported by us.   

The Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE) attitude works simultaneously on a child's sense of being seen or 'felt; as well as to helping the brain become more integrative.  

This will enable children and young people to:

• have emotional development
• experience relationship repair
• accept comfort and support
• increase reflective functioning towards self
• increase awareness of thoughts, feelings, wishes of others
• explore past traumas whilst remaining emotionally regulated 
• seek guidance for skill development 
• develop a realistic view of central aspects of self.  

PACE is used on a daily basis within all the Homes.  

Proactive Approaches:

Proactive Approaches is an attachment & trauma informed behaviour  to  support children with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.

The philosophy behind Proactive Approaches is one of understanding, empathy and is built upon adopting a proactive and therapeutic, child-centred mindset in relation to behaviours.

Proactive Approaches draws heavily on contemporary research, and allows staff to understand and respond confidently to behaviours of concern, using a wide range of proactive strategies and techniques.

Staff are trained with the essential knowledge; they become inquisitive about children’s responses (often referred to as challenging behaviour).

Proactive Approaches equips staff with the correct skills to analyse and identify potential causes, considering possibilities ranging from, trauma & attachment, sensory, communication difficulties, frustration, anxiety or environmental factors. This important analysis not only allows staff to correctly recognise and understand behaviours, but subsequently develop an appropriate support plan which lessens the likelihood of behaviour reoccurring. It also aims to minimise the potential for empathy fatigue and blocked care.

Cornerways Care have accredited on-site trainers.