Member Article

First children’s service marks milestone for care provider

Care provider, Heathcotes Group, has announced the completion of a milestone development near Chesterfield with the opening of the company’s first specialist services for children.

Located at Brendon Avenue in Newbold, Brendon House provides care for children and young people aged 8-18 with complex needs, learning difficulties and emotional and behavioural difficulties. Built by contractors, John Ryan Developments Ltd, the two-storey accommodation totals 3,930 sq ft and includes eight en-suite bedrooms alongside extensive communal space designed to provide the feel of a typical family home environment. The services will employ over 20 staff, all trained in NAPPI (Non-Abusive Physical and Psychological Interventions) to maintain a positive influence on each child and minimise the level and frequency of challenging behaviour. Chesterfield-based Heathcotes is expecting to see referrals from all over the UK due to a current lack of specialist provision for children in residential care.

The leadership team at Brendon House has over 13 years’ experience in the residential children’s sector, including care support for severely challenging behaviours, learning difficulties and high-level therapeutic practice led through in-house clinical input. Services manager, Thomas Maddocks, has six years of specialist experience in the clinically-led therapeutic recovery of children and young people aged 5-18 who have suffered trauma, neglect and abuse. Deputy services manager, Damian Lloyd, has seven years of experience within residential care settings, including six years as a team leader supporting children and adults with mental health conditions ranging from moderate to severe.

Mr Maddocks said:

“Brendon House has a highly-trained practice team working cohesively to provide a family-style environment through emotional warmth and structured routines, rules and appropriate boundaries. We want to ensure that children have the opportunities to express themselves and their talents in a safe, well-structured environment. The children will be supported through high levels of supervision whilst being encouraged to engage in the wider community and achieve their personal aspirations.”

Heathcotes managing director, Brendan Kelly, said:

“The launch of our first children’s services is a landmark stage in Heathcotes’ expansion. We have made our name with nationwide services providing person-centred care for adults. With the opening of Brendon House, we can now offer the full care pathway for individuals, working with each child to ensure a smooth transition into adulthood.”

Designed by Heathcotes’ in-house architectural consultancy, JDS Design, the £450,000 Brendon House development was built over a 20-week programme which commenced in April. The facility includes an office, en-suite wet rooms, two communal bathrooms, large family-style dining area and fully fitted modern kitchen, laundry room, large open-plan sensory chill room, a lounge for relaxation and another lounge for engaging activities such as arts crafts and play therapy.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Jones .