The Retreat

The Retreat Team

Here at the Retreat, we have a small staff team with a balanced male and female ratio. The age range of the staff team is varied, which works well for the young people that move into the Retreat as they see different approaches from staff.

The home manager has over 10 years’ experience working within childcare as a foster carer and then moving over to residential childcare. The homes manager has different types of behaviour management styles, which he supports and develops the staff team in using. The home has two very experienced seniors in the home, who both have a nurturing approach towards the young people in their care. They support the young person with life skills and get the young person to engage in education. 

The Retreat have staff who spend time with the child, using the homes boxing bag and also spending time on the trampoline which in the large back garden. We also help with their education needs if the young person needs this. One of our team is a qualified chef, which is a great talent to have, and they get the young person to help prepare and cook meals, which we then eat together as a family and speak about what has happened in the day and if there are any changes the young person would like to be made in the home. Staff also supports the young person in activities including ten pin bowling, go- karting and spending time at the local park.

Environment

The home environment is very appealing, with its cosy living room and large front window which allows sunlight to enter the room to make it bright and welcoming. We have a large dining room where staff and the young person have their meals and can talk about what has happened throughout the day.

We have achieved positive outcomes for the young person that is now placed in The Retreat for just over a year. The young person has stated to the staff team that this is his longest placement he has been in and he gets on with all the staff as they understand and care for him, and he would like to stay at the Retreat until he moves back to his dad’s.

Young people who need social integration and to feel part of a community can feel included in our home, because of its good transport links, local amenities catered for young people, educational facilities and the vast range of social and recreational areas in the area.