Case Studies
Our Case Studies
Every young person who comes through our doors has their own unique story. Here we share some of those journeys — the challenges, the breakthroughs and the moments that remind us why we do what we do.
A young person was referred to us in 2019 after several failed foster placements.
They came to Amegreen with complex needs but no diagnosis. The child, who was 11 years old at the time, was suffering from severe trauma after years of neglect.
Following an assessment they were carefully matched with the children and adults in Barn Owl, our five-bedroom home for children aged five to 18 years old with social, emotional and mental health issues.
The team worked hard to support the child to better manage their emotions and to express themselves positively. This has led to the child becoming safer and more confident.
Through a tailored therapy plan, the young person flourished, and they were able to participate in education.
Charlotte Richardson, Deputy Manager at Barn Owl, said: “We’re really proud of the growth and maturity this young person has shown over the last five years.
“They continue to become more independent and develop life skills and we look forward to seeing them thrive in education.”
The child will be soon moving onto our 16 plus services to complete qualifications and gain independence skills, preparing them for the future.
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.
Nine-year-old M has complex learning and behavioural needs.
Recognising they were unable to provide the required care at home, M’s parents chose Oakland House as the ideal environment for him. This five-bedroom home cares for children aged five to 18 with significant learning difficulties, often stemming from experiences of loss and trauma.
Surrounded by other children with similar needs, Amegreen staff have been working with M for more than a year on verbal communication skills.
All staff are trained in therapeutic parenting by a DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) professional, this helps the team share a child’s emotional experiences and make sense of them, allowing young people like M to develop a sense of identity and belonging.
Through therapeutic models such as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) M has learned to trust adults and build relationships.
M is also thriving at our equine therapy centre, Stable Futures. M participates in activities with horses, ponies and pygmy goats, which has helped him to develop life skills and grow in confidence.
M maintains a great relationship with his family and often spends time with them. He enjoys weekly day trips with his friends from Oakland House.
Annmarie, Team Leader at Oaklands House, said: “M has made remarkable progress since joining us. His enthusiasm for learning and the joy he shares with his family are truly inspiring. We’re dedicated to ensuring that every child here, including M, feels heard and supported in all aspects of their growth.”
Despite occasional challenges, our dedicated team strives to empower young individuals with learning difficulties like M, ensuring they have a voice of their own.
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Our results speak for themselves. If you’re looking for a placement that makes a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
