I honestly feel both you and your team did an incredible job with J.  Your team always placed his needs first and adapted to different ways of working based on his behaviour and needs.  Your reports, risk assessments and other documents were in depth and knowledgeable.  Information provided was always given in a timely manner and communication regular and consistent.

He has been able to slowly build positive relationships with adults around him, which he did not have before. Although still heavily monitored and supported, he is being able to enjoy and experience activities and experiences in life which other young people his age would be, and enjoying these, which he did not have the opportunity or ability to do before.

Despite disliking education, it is positive that he does go and engages in some of his learning, as opposed to not accessing school and spending all his time with the gang, which would likely have been the case if he had not been supported in the way he has by Care Afloat. In terms of his basic needs, the fact he is alive, healthy and using his time constructively it a real achievement compared to how things could have been for him now, if he had stayed at home or if he had been placed in the wrong placement, which had not worked for him and he had not engaged with so well.

We should pick the house up and move it to my town, I‘d stay there forever then.

“The staff were realy nice I loved them”
“ I was always happy, there is nothing that would make me happier”
“They were funny”

Thanks for your through P.E.P and statement documents.

The staff are very good, helpful, supportive and funny.I really enjoyed it, I wish I could stay longer

We have used your mobile provision on a number of occasions and always found this to be a really helpful response when we have a young person in crisis. The advantages are that the staff are skilled at engaging with young people and can offer them an opportunity to distance themselves from the negative influences which are often controlling what the young person is involved in, crime and sexual exploitation in particular. They can keep them safe.

The placement worked well, very positive. I was really pleased …… and witnessed good rapport with staff; positive relationships were built with staff in a short time

S. C. came back with a different attitude, definite improvement, shows more confidence and is desperate to come back (to you). I am very happy with the service

It has been a pleasure working alongside a team that is truly child centred and genuinely concerned and openly working towards helping young people to become confident young adults. Keep up the good work

Care Afloat’s contribution to the South Lancashire Missing From Home Group has been invaluable. Our joint working has also ensured that the issues relating to the vulnerable young people in their care are addressed positively in a spirit of true partnership

I loved staying at Cherry House and wouldn’t leave if I had the choice, I’ve had the best time and best experience working with all my staff. You all are gonna be missed dearly. Thank you for everything and all the best.

Students’ personal development is strong … result … improving maturity and … behaviour

You have changed me so much, I’m so glad I’ve met you all. You helped me through things I didn’t think I could do on my own, you have made me feel myself again like a normal 15 year old…… Thank you so much for being there when I needed you….. Wish everyone all the best. I’m really happy I have made the right choice in moving to Care Afloat

I’ve enjoyed myself. It hasn’t felt like a care home. It felt like my home. I got on with everyone and I’ll miss you loads. Thank you for helping me

 I believe the standard of care provided was exceptional. Our young person was really cared for. There was a clear trauma informed approach which helped to address the young person past experiences. I found that this was the first placement out of three others where the young person was able to build routine, understand and respect boundaries and also receive educational and therapeutic support. In addition to this, I am amazed at the placement ability to acknowledge the young person’s parents and family. Contact was recorded effectively and supported with care and diligence. This is important because the placement is very far from young person’s family, therefore the placement were willing to make many adjustment to ensure young person could have quality contact. This was helpful when making decisions about the young person’s long term placement.

I sat with the young person earlier to today and she mentioned how she missed how the staff would take her to by her own food and cook this with her. Specifically talking about Afro-Caribbean food.

Risk was always communicated to myself and the other social worker promptly. The risk was often discussed in meetings and an updated risk assessment would take place. There was always a communication if there was a change to risk that had emerged in the past which was beneficial as it meant that the young person risk was being reviewed promptly.

I observed the Manager provide support to workers communicate our concerns and views in a way that helped to promote the needs of the child whilst also acknowledging the experience of the staff on board. In addition to this, I felt that I had the opportunity to work with a range of different staff who all embodied a trauma informed method of working and appeared to be really supportive of our young person. This was something that appeared to consistent amongst workers which benefits the young person stability and ability to build relationships.

– SOCIAL WORKER (LAMBETH)