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Child Centred Philosophy
We ensure that all decisions are based on the needs of the young person, not
the organisation.
This child centred philosophy does not mean that young people are given
licence to behave badly. Rather it means that all aspects of negative behaviour
are challenged directly in a consistent but caring manner.
Staff at Care afloat are committed to the need to challenge negative behaviour
consistently, because it is in the long term interest of the young person
concerned. This often involves a reaction from the young person, which can be
abusive and sometimes violent. We accept that this intimidating behaviour is
often a symptom of young people’s reaction to previous experiences at the
hands of adults and, consequently is accepted as sometimes an inevitable and
necessary part of enabling young people to accept the need to change their
behaviour.
This “enlightened self interest" is crucial if young people are to be enabled to
take control of their behaviour and move on to a more positive future.
However, should any young person consistently, over a period of months, refuse
to engage in their programmes the placement may be terminated. Care Afloat
has only done this rarely during its fifteen-year existence.
Placements are NEVER terminated at short notice, with a minimum period of 28 day notice given to the Placing Authority.
This approach needs time and above all, consistency. Young people often remain for a number of years with an eventual move to Care Afloat’s own independence and vocational training scheme. Because sometimes, of the lack of family ties, young people are encouraged to keep in contact with the Care Afloat organisation after their placement ends, and are invited back for occasional visits.
This approach has enabled Care Afloat to help many young people back into their environment and with continued support from their Local Authority, they have been able to settle into a more "normal" existence. Most have managed to radically change the negative behaviour giving most cause for concern and many offenders have substantially reduced their offending behaviour or ceased to offend altogether