The shaping of Woodlands is based on the backgrounds and work experiences of two managers who left their Child Care Management roles with a local authority to set up the organisation in the Spring of 1999, one of whom still runs the organisation today.
Both individuals’ working practice were influenced in their beliefs and their values were reinforced by the inception of the Children Act 1989, a piece of legislation very much relevant today.
Two respected academics in the field of work, Ward and Stewart, developed the strength-based approach into a model termed ‘The Good Lives Model’ (GLM). When they published their work in 2003 we at Woodlands realised that we had been adopting such a model without formally recognising it, coined by a member of staff as ‘The Woodlands Way’.
Consequently, Woodlands was, and continues to be, at the forefront of world practice!
Therapy
Qualitative Care is the
cornerstone of the service
we offer at Woodlands.
The young people who live with us need to know that the people who look after them really do care and want them to have the best possible time whilst with us.
Offering a variety of therapeutic programmes delivered by our in-house therapists and psychologists.
Programmes range from extensive life story work to post-custodial sentence programmes and outreach post placement support.
Our Ethos
Woodlands continues to develop and shape practice, internally and internationally through research and training events. We remain proudly Child Centred and have a simple hierarchical structure. The ethos is ‘can do’ and ‘how do we look to improve the young persons’ lives every day?’
Our fantastic full time educational facility offers superb educational experiences for
our young people. They are taught one to one or in small groups to enhance
educational stimulation. 3 of our young people have gone to University in the last 4 years.
Our team of in-house therapists and clinical psychologist are very much part of the organisation’s fabric. Therapy is integral to the young people’s programmes at Woodlands. Care staff are also involved in the long term therapeutic programmes, giving a real sense of purpose to their role and makes therapy real and credible for the young people.
Holistic, Therapeutic and Psychological assessments provide input into the best ways of meeting the needs of the young people and their families/support network when appropriate during their programmes.
We provide semi-independent living accommodation and fully supported independence and life skills development programmes to prepare for the transition of leaving care.
Woodlands provides outstanding qualitative standards of care. With 24-hour care and support through one to one staffing and the link worker system ensuring a nurturing culture, attention to detail and positive role modelling.
"I mean that was the Woodlands way, like you get the negatives out the way and then you end with the positives and like pretty much since day one that’s what I’ve been trying to achieve."
Young Person, 2021
