Our home, Jasper House, provides a nurturing and therapeutic environment for three children with developmental trauma.
When two of our young people arrived at Jasper House, each had unique behavioural challenges stemming from the trauma they had experienced. One child exhibited severe unregulated behaviour that made attending and benefiting from school impossible. Her inability to engage with tasks and activities at school was a significant barrier to her development.
The second child struggled with communication, often resorting to making animal sounds, which prevented her from interacting with others and communicating her needs effectively.
The care team at Jasper House implemented a tailored programme to ensure the young people were getting the support they needed. For the first child, staff established consistent boundaries to create a structured and predictable environment. This approach was combined with specific behavioural interventions aimed at helping her develop self-regulation skills.
Personalised support allowed her to gradually start attending lessons. Over time, these efforts paid off significantly. She now attends school full-time and has achieved a 100% attendance record. She actively participates in both academic and after school activities, showing remarkable improvements in self-regulation and social skills.
For the second child, the focus was on enhancing her communication skills. Regular speech therapy sessions were introduced to encourage verbal expression. Additionally, activities designed to help her identify and express her feelings safely were incorporated into her routine. The use of positive reinforcement for her verbal communication efforts further supported her progress.
As a result, she no longer uses animal sounds and can engage in longer conversations with our staff. She can effectively communicate her needs to adults, which has facilitated better care and support. Her improved ability to express her feelings has also led to enhanced social interactions with the other young people in the home.
Romana Nemcova, Team Leader at Jasper House, said: “We’re so proud of the progress made by our children. It has allowed us to plan various fun activities including holidays abroad, day trips, and community events.
“Our team is dedicated to supporting the children in overcoming their trauma and preparing them for life. By providing a safe and understanding environment, we offer loving care tailored to each child's needs.”
The success stories of these children highlight the positive impact of a supportive and consistent approach in helping children with developmental trauma thrive.