Trauma and disrupted attachment
Young people whose trauma, disrupted attachments or repeated placement breakdowns have led to significant emotional and mental health difficulties. Our model is built around them.
Who we care for. Ages 8 to 16, up to three young people.
For young people whose needs standard EBD provision can't meet.
Up to three young people aged 8 to 16 with significant mental health and emotional needs, who need therapeutically informed care. We set out exactly who we can help, and who we can't, so placing authorities can decide quickly.
Significant mental health needs
Young people whose needs can be safely supported in the community with CAMHS, including those stepping down from Tier 4 inpatient care.
Autism with additional complexity
Autistic young people whose additional complexity is a significant mental health or emotional need. Every member of staff is trained in autism practice.
Young people who self-harm, or who have been exploited or are at risk of exploitation, are included where those risks can be safely managed in a small home on a residential street.
Five conditions, all met before a young person arrives.
A clear threshold protects every young person in the home, including the one being referred.
Evidenced need
A current, significant mental health or emotional need, shown by a CAMHS or clinical assessment, or the placing authority's own assessment including the latest SDQ. The authority has assessed that the young person needs therapeutically informed care.
Safe matching
An impact risk assessment shows the young person can live safely with those already in the home, and they with them.
Full information
Care plan, risk assessments, any EHCP, and relevant health and CAMHS information.
Clinical agreement
Our clinical lead has considered the referral, and the Registered Manager agrees, on that advice, that we can meet the young person's needs.
A therapeutic support plan
Agreed with the placing authority: the support the young person will receive, through CAMHS or an external therapist we arrange, and how it will be reviewed.
What we offer, at a glance.
Planned means available through a planned route with agreed timescales. In part means only in the circumstances described.
- Therapeutically informed careYesThe basis of the home. A formulation for every young person before admission.
- Significant mental health needsYesWhere they can be safely supported in the community with CAMHS.
- Autism with additional complexityYesFormulation draws on the young person's autism assessment and their CAMHS or neurodevelopmental team.
- Regulated solo placementsYesFor as long as the plan requires. No other young person admitted unless the authority agrees.
- Crisis placementsPlannedResponse within one working day. Daytime admission on a date agreed in writing.
- Tier 4 step-downPlannedOnce the inpatient team confirms readiness, with a written transition, relapse and crisis plan.
- Hospital avoidanceIn partThrough the planned crisis route where community CAMHS advises. Not a substitute for inpatient care.
- Emergency or same-dayNoNo unplanned, same-day or out-of-hours admissions.
Needs we can't safely meet
- A risk of serious harm to others that can't be safely managed in a small home on a residential street
- Substance misuse as the primary presenting need
- Acute mental health crisis needing inpatient assessment or treatment
- A primary need arising from a learning disability
- A physical disability needing wheelchair access, a hoist or adapted facilities
Service limits
- No more than three young people, and never more care staff than the maximum. If a young person needs more support, we reduce the number of young people.
- No education on site. Young people attend school in the community.
- Not a hospital, psychiatric unit or secure children's home, and not designed for young people whose plans require a deprivation of liberty.
- Ofsted registration sought for EBD and mental disorders (excluding learning disability).
Not sure if a young person fits?
Talk to us before referring. Please don't share anything that could identify a young person until we've agreed a secure route.
referrals@himalayacaregroup.co.uk