About us: 

We are a social care provider which provides a range of support packages through medium to long-term support, this includes therapeutic interventions. Two of our Directors are qualified and experienced social workers educated at Masters level. Additionally, They both hold Bachelors degree's in Youth and Community work. Collectively Cocoon Group Services senior management team hold 35+ years experience working with children and families within the social care and education sectors. 

Location:

We offer accommodation and support to young people between 16-18 or up to 24 years of age for those with learning disabilities.  We currently have a 16+ supported accommodation based in Enfield and a 18+ step down provision based in East London.  Both provisions have great transportation links within walking distance. 

What we do:

We encourage transition plans for young people who have been hospitalised for long periods of time where they may need extra support to adjust in the placement. All young people are risks assessed and supported by qualified and experienced staff who have gone through our safer recruitment procedure.  Our staff team recognise the importance of creating a stable environment that will assist young people in achieving short and long term goals. 

We also provide a floating support service for all care leavers who are transitioning from supported living to independent living. We believe that care leavers will need a reduced level of support with integrating them into the wider community, whilst accessing services that will guide them to make informed decision in relation to their daily lives.

Who do we support:

We are able to support young people who have experienced different forms  of abuse, a history of disrupted placements, low capacity and or poor attachments, young people at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), County Lines and young people experiencing mental health issues such as; Suicide Ideation, Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder, Mood Deregulation, Anxiety, Self Harming Behaviours and Depression.  Our individualised placement plans are aimed to enrich, empower and promote young people’s welfare and development. We're qualified and trained to deliver our services to young people with complex needs. 

What our support and approach looks like:

Our staff team provide practical, physical and emotional support. This includes; supporting them with household tasks, shopping, budgeting and managing their own finances as well as accessing universal health services. In addition to this, supporting young people to  access education, employment, training and positive activities.  It is equally important that we work in partnership with young people giving autonomy and a platform for young people to express their wishing and feelings with all decision making pertaining to their day to day lives. 

  • Our staff are skilled and competent to work with young people who may have complex needs, in a non-judgmental way with a passion to support young people to achieve their goals.
  • Staff are attentive to the young person's feelings and thoughts, being patient to understand their needs. Staff work to ensure that young people are being heard, working in a collaborative way.
  • Staff use their listening and communication skills to engage with young people and problem solve when dealing with conflict. For Instance, remaining calm and polite in challenging situations.
  • Staff are competent with being assertive, maintaining positive relationships, through building trust with young people. Staff promote development through collaborative working and support plans.
  • Staff support with providing key work session and coordinating residence meetings and the SpeakEasy Forum which is a safe space for young people to discuss topics such as sexual health, staying safe, bullying, knife crime, gang violence awareness, positive peer relationships, CSE, CCE, aspirational goals.
  • Our staff team work within the boundaries of the following; The Children Act 1989 & 2004, Care Standard Act 2000, The Children and Social Work Act 2017, The Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2015, Children and Young Person's Act 2008, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018. 

 

Models and Approaches:

  • We use Trauma Informed Practices which aims to raise awareness amongst staff so that they understand the impact of trauma and how this may present itself through young people's emotional and mental well-being. The goal is to prevent re-traumatisation and to support and assist healing. By doing so, we encourage young people to take part in our therapeutic interventions (see our services provided page).
  • We have adopted a Person-Centred approach, as we believe in focusing on their individual needs and ensuring that they are part of all decision making pertaining to their lives.  Additionally, we have fostered the Motivational Interviewing, Strength Based Perspective and Solution Focused models of intervention.  These approaches compliment one another because they all focus on the young persons needs and autonomy.  
  • Motivational Interviewing is client focused and elicits behaviour change by helping young people to explore and resolve ambivalence.  Strength Based Perspective is a holistic approach, which seeks to explore the young person strengths which includes social and community networks, as appose to focusing on their deficits.  Lastly, we use solution focused, which looks is a goal orientated approach, it seeks to address present and future circumstances and achievable goals, rather then revisiting the past.
  • We recognise that these models of intervention are not the only solution to supporting young people on a day to day basis, nevertheless, they are a starting point and will equip them with the necessary knowledge and practical tools for when they leave care. 

 

We are experienced and confident in partnership working as we work alongside: Social Workers, Psychologist, Systemic Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, CAMHS and other external agencies, such as the police and education professional, to meet young people's needs. So that they can develop in a safe, warm and stable environment.