Service description
Lilias Graham Trust provides a residential family support and assessment service. This is backed up by outreach and non-residential day services as appropriate.
The key service objectives are:
- to help strengthen child-parent relationships and
- to help parents develop the knowledge, skills and approaches which will enable them to meet their children’s developmental needs.
Assessment
LGT works with families on the basis of an agreed and continuously reviewed assessment of the child’s needs and of parents’ ability to meet those needs. Assessments are based on existing information from referrers and LGT’s observation of family functioning in the residential setting. In addition, play therapy provides detailed insight into parent-child interaction. Assessment reports are provided at agreed stages.
Approach
LGT uses an “ecological” approach which considers a wide range of factors affecting the child. The initial assessment and resulting objectives are agreed at a Family Agreement Meeting. Weekly Review and Action planning meetings ensure progress and a clear work focus. The referring social worker is fully involved in this process. Reports are based on the Department of Health (2000) Assessment model.
Staffing
Each family has an assigned Family Support Worker. Cases are overseen and coordinated by a Case Coordinator who is an experienced and qualified social worker. LGT’s qualified play therapist has a key role in the therapeutic and assessment service for families.
Facilities
LGT is in a rural setting near Thornhill, Stirling, 35 miles north east of Glasgow.
Accommodation comprises five family units. Two of these are in the main house, one in the log house, one in the Mobile home and the fifth in the Lodge house about 5oo meters from the office.
Three purpose-designed indoor play areas provide different play opportunities for children and parents. The most recent of these, a purpose-built art and play therapy space has been built in the Secret Garden and was opened in August 2008.
Within the spacious grounds we have lots of space, outdoor facilities and a games hall, a pig called Tom and several chickens and ducks! Altogether LGT provides a great place for fun, and the staff offer excellent support to parents using the facilities to strengthen family relationships.
Criteria
The service is especially suitable when you are considering:
Rehabilitation:
Where there is an opportunity for rehabilitation of children but parents require a period of intensive support and development to help meet their child’s needs.
Keeping children at home:
Where parents are struggling to meet their child’s needs and require intensive support to avoid children becoming accommodated.
Assessment of risk:
Where there is uncertainty about whether parents are meeting their child’s needs or there are unsubstantiated child protection concerns, and a period of residential assessment and support would be helpful.
To access this service please contact in the first Instance:
Cath Morrison
Chief Executive
The Lilias Graham Trust
Braendam House
Thornhill
Stirling
FK8 3QH
T: 01786 850259
M: 07717410116