About Us
The philosophy of Griffin House is one of excellent qualitative, child-centered care that enables young people to settle and enjoy living in a nurturing and supportive environment. Whilst the facility is for young people with disabilities and special needs it is committed to the principles of inclusion and, whilst residing within the Home, young people are encouraged to access community facilities with appropriate staff support.
Griffin House Children’s Home is a four bedroomed detached house in a lovely, residential area of Southport, Merseyside close to the beach, cinemas, swimming pools and the acclaimed shopping area of Lord Street. The Home accommodates up to four young people aged 10 to 18 years who have been assessed as having a learning disability, some of the young people placed also have associated physical and/or sensory impairments. The Home offers short, medium and long term care and short breaks. We also work with placing local authorities to plan life long care for those young people/adults who require such a service. The Registered Provider is a qualified social worker with over 25 years experience of working with children and families in a local authority setting. Up until March 2005, the Registered Provider was the Children’s Services Manager in a three star local authority and is currently employed as a consultant helping local authorities to improve the services they provide to families. The Registered Manager has worked in the field of residential child care for over thirty years and has previously managed a 20 bedded children’s home for the voluntary sector. Both the Provider and Manager have management qualifications and are totally committed to meeting the needs of children with disabilities and their families.
Where Griffin House differs from many other residential providers is that it brings family support and residential care together. The staff team have been carefully selected to ensure that their values are sound and that the Home is able to provide a cross generational staffing structure to mirror family life. The staff work alongside parents to support them in using behaviour modification techniques, which can enhance rehabilitation plans where that is the desired outcome. Families use the facilities and resources within Griffin House, including the staff, to help them to cook, bathe and put their child to bed if this is what they wish to do and the care plan endorses this level of intervention. Families are encouraged to join in with activities and day trips and to enjoy the positive aspects of caring for their child, leaving the more onerous areas to the trained staff team. Contact can be held either in the families own home or in Griffin House, and again, staff facilitate and support the sessions to ensure that they are an enjoyable experience for all.
Feedback from parents who currently use the service has been excellent. Parents and grandparents tell us that they feel that they have the opportunity to spend quality time with all of their children without having to undertake the role of full time carer. Families, including brothers and sisters, have advised us that they feel they have all gained a better quality of life.
Staff are experienced in managing behaviour associated with a young person’s learning disability and mental health issues. A wide range of assessments can be undertaken as required to ensure that all of the young person’s needs can be met. These include Clinical and/or Educational Psychological assessment and support and specialist behavioural assessment. The Home only works with approved therapists who specialise in working with young people with additional needs.
The Home is committed to working in partnership with all children’s services to ensure that the five key outcomes for children are exceeded and that children and young people are supported through the transition from childhood to adult. Where young people require ‘homes for life’, the company works with parents and placing authorities to ensure the ongoing needs of young adults are met.