Pioneering ethos of Newcombe Lodge recognised by Ofsted inspectors

Company news

Sep 28, 2012

Care UK’s Newcombe Lodge, a specialist residential service in Gloucestershire for young people with a history of serious self-injuring and risk taking behaviour, has been recognised for its work in supporting 13-21 year olds to work towards a more positive adult life.

Results of its recent Ofsted inspection describe the Stroud-based mental health service as “pioneering good practice in the field of rehabilitation for young people with the prolonged history of frequent and often, extreme self-injurious behaviour”.

The report positively comments on many aspects of Newcombe Lodge, with the quality of its care described as providing young people with “individually tailored, holistic, consistent and comprehensive support to develop a feeling of healthy self-worth and positive attitudes towards life”.

There is also praise for how the team at Newcombe Lodge support and motivate the clients towards educational attainment. The clients attend a purpose built school, which Ofsted describes as “an outstanding educational unit in which young people receive individualised support”. The school offers a nurturing environment and the opportunity to study towards GCSEs, AS/A2 levels, vocational and degree qualifications. The report continues:

“They are engaging regularly with education. This is great progress for them. For example, young people who felt unable to attend any education in the past for various reasons now have very high, almost 100%, school attendance. They are taking exams and are expected to do well. They have ambitions and are successfully planning and preparing for the future.”

The Newcombe Lodge management team is also recognised in the report:

“Excellent management, a comprehensive framework of group and individual meetings, clear protocols and good communication ensure that young people consistently received support of a high standard. The company also takes great care to ensure that staff are appropriately supported to manage their own personal responses and feelings arising from working in the setting.”

Newcombe Lodge manager Alison Hudson said: “The success of Newcombe Lodge is about teamwork, and that includes the involvement of the young people in the planning and review of their care. I am delighted that the work of my team has been reported positively.”

Alison Rose-Quirie, Managing Director of Care UK’s Mental Health Services division, said: “I visited the site very recently and the progress the young women there have made is truly amazing. It is certainly an absolute credit to the staff and a service that  we can all be very proud of.”