Welcome to 'Prospect House'. Prospect House accommodates a maximum of six young people of either gender in the age range of ten to seventeen years, and is registered with the Care Commission.

We receive, assess and formulate the Individual Care Plan of each young person. We offer care, accommodation and education to young people in need. The young people referred to ourselves have encountered previous hurts and disruption in their lives, therefore our aim, whilst recognizing their past, is to create an environment which facilitates the disclosing of feelings in an open and non threatening manner whilst ensuring that we have in place a framework of support.

We do not work with the young person in isolation, their family and significant others in their lives are important components in a fragile system if inter-personal dynamics. Total communication with all professionals involved in the young person,s life is also a priority if we hope to succeed in the healing process.

We believe that our house should be an 'open window' to our practice, and welcome any objective and constructive comments on this.

What follows sets out our statement of Purpose, Aims and Objectives, and other relevant information in terms of the function of Prospect House.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
PHILOSOPHY
It is appropriate at the outset to state that we believe that young people are individuals with RIGHTS. In reality the above statement can only be realised if the adults themselves are comfortable with their own authority.

To this end we have carefully selected a TEAM of people for whom SOCIAL WORK in a RESIDENTIAL SETTING is more than a stepping stone into other Social Work disciplines. Consequently there is a belief among the team that they are here because they want to be, not because they have to be, this is also a view that we nurture in the young people.

PURPOSE
To provide accommodation and education (52 week's a year ) for a group of six people of an equal gender balance, within the ten to seventeen age range regarded by their referring agencies as presenting emotional and behavioral difficulties.

To provide a setting in which the individual needs of the young people can be met, and respect for the individual is given a high profile in the daily life of the house.

Young people also need to feel safe from previous experiences which may have led to their need for being looked after and to know that they will not be rejected when they act out their feelings.

If the feelings acted out by the individual young people are considered inappropriate then the following actions will apply:-

The young person is advised that their behaviour is unacceptable and the reason for this.

The specific behaviours are reflected upon in an open and honest way.

The behaviours are raised as an agenda item at the young peoples meeting.As an absolute last resort a sanction may be imposed which will range from the loss of the 'bonus' portion of their pocket money, to missing out on any planned events, i.e., concert, trips to theme parks, cinema etc

The removal of privileges is not always the answer, it is our view that the relationship shared between the individual young person and the adults who share their daily lives is indeed a powerful vehicle, within which to assist the young person in accepting their responsibility for their actions and the impact these actions have upon others.

AIMS
To stabilize young people and involve them in a programme of care that clearly demonstrates a professional concern for their well being and safety. The main components of this will inevitably involve Education, Emotional Growth/Development, Health, and appropriate contact with significant family members, whilst keeping in frequent contact with the young person's social worker.

To enable hurt young people to unlearn negative behaviours and develop more positive behaviours.

To identify the emotional, social and educational needs of each individual young person.

To assist each individual to recognize their strengths and resources.

To provide an environment of acceptance and healing in which the young person may develop their strengths and overcome previous hurts.

OBJECTIVES
To establish effective communication with relevant agencies and with the young persons network of significant others.

To encourage each young person to realise their full potential through developing relationships with the adults employed at Prospect house.

In conjunction with he young person, to construct Individual Care Plans with identified aims, objectives, goals and time scales.

To offer regular detailed reporting to referring agency on individual young people's progress and development.

To create a facilitative environment where young people are valued, and appropriately involved in decision making and planning for their futures.

To empower individuals to become appropriately assertive and confident in the management of their own lives.
  
The above is only part of our Mission statement - if you would like us to send you a hard copy of the Mission Statement - click here.