Therapeutic
Residential Care
Specialist Care Environment
Sacré Coeur and Grianán are our therapeutic residential homes which takes care of children of mixed gender aged between 7 and 11 years old on admission. The children who come to live in either of our therapeutic residential houses have experienced acute childhood experiences, such as neglect, rejection and abuse and will also have experienced multiple placement moves due to the impact of such traumas. In order to help the children overcome these acute childhood experiences, the therapeutic programme offered in both Sacré Coeur and Grianán is a two-year programme. During their time in our care, the child will experience a specialist holding environment provided by an experienced staff team, who offer understanding and attunement to the children’s emotions and presenting behaviours, through a trauma informed lens.
Sacre Coeur
In their work with the children, the staff will draw from attachment theory and psychodynamic thinking as well as the core values of a therapeutic community as outlined by the Community of Communities. Sacré Coeur is an accredited member of Community of Communities.
During their time in Sacré Coeur, the children have the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with the adults. They gain an understanding of their past lives and learn to co-operate and live with and relate to other children. The children learn to modify their behaviour and find safer ways to express their hurt and distress – for example, they develop words which they can use instead of behaviour to show how they feel.
The children are supported in all aspects of their development to ensure they and have the same opportunities as their peers. A strong focus is placed on helping each child reach their potential and on developing a positive self-image and enhancing their self-esteem.
In relation to family support, Sacré Coeur places a strong emphasis on working with the families and carers of each child. It is our experience that the children who make the most positive developments are those whose families or carers take an active involvement and interest in the work and progress of the child. We also seek to extend the same working alliance to each child’s social worker, guardian and education professionals.
By the end of the two-year programme offered by Sacre Coeur and Grianán, each child will have made significant gains in trust, self-regulation, and resilience. These positive gains will enable the children to sustain a mainstream school placement and their new home placement, either re-unification home or an alternative care placement.
Grianán
Established in June 2023, Grianán is a therapeutic children’s residential home, providing children from age seven to eleven on admission with the opportunity to heal from early trauma and past hurts and to make sense of their early experiences. The use a psychodynamic approach and attachment theory in the therapeutic community provides opportunity for children to build safe and nurturing relationships, opening the doors of connection, healing and play. Through the provision of a stable and safe environment, in time, the child learns to trust who we are and what we do. Our aim is to cultivate a model of care and growth whereby we support children in developmental, emotional, social and educational growth.
Within this therapeutic and healing environment, the children learn how to live as part of a group, which can be challenging for the child. Each community member is valued and supported on their journey. Given their life experiences, there is support and understanding provided to each child to help them to feel safe and secure, to connect and to trust. It is in the development of relationships that the healing takes place. Interactions with peers are supported through group living, were the child is supported to learn, play and to navigate peer relationships and friendships which in turn promotes positive outcomes in their school and social interactions.
Key aspects of the two-year programme include:
- A structured Therapeutic Environment
- 1-1 staff: child ratio
- Group living and learning experience.
- Emotional and Behavioural Supports
- Daily therapeutic interventions which promote co-regulation and self-regulation.
- Individual psychotherapeutic interventions (play / art / psychotherapy).
- National curriculum education.
- Family Support
- Collaborative approach to working with other professionals and families.
Case Study
A St Bernards Therapeutic Residential Care Case study paragraph – one liner.
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque maximus pharetra vehicula. Curabitur non ligula ultricies, varius dui id, interdum tellus. Fusce non felis ligula. Donec eget dictum tortor, et aliquet urna. Praesent laoreet, felis at posuere hendrerit, quam nibh condimentum ante, ac interdum mi metus eget dui.
– SUSCIPIT LOBORTI
Tusla, Alternative Care Inspection Report 2023
Referral Process
St. Bernards maintains its own referral process and this is overseen by the St. Bernard’s Admission Committee Board. We only accept referrals from Tusla social work departments. As and when a vacancy is pending, we contact the Area Managers and Principal Social Workers within the Tusla South area, advising them that we are open to referrals. Those interested in applying for a placement will then be requested to complete a formal referral form. Anyone wishing to find out more about this service or make an enquiry for referrals or admission, please contact our Social Care Manager, Mairéad Morrissey on 052 6131392 or via email at mmorrissey@stbernards.ie