WELCOME TO CARE AFLOAT

Children's Homes and Services

Care Afloat has been offering high quality residential childcare and education packages for children and young people for over 30 years. In addition to the unique services we offer, we also provide a number of well- established solo children’s homes and a small number of multi-bedded children’s homes.  We are based in the North-west of England and provide unique and bespoke placement experiences which have enabled young people to develop the necessary skills and self-confidence to successfully transition into adulthood, independence or a return to family.

CARE AFLOAT

Prilika sets sail again

August 22, 2024

We’re all proud of this young man embracing the opportunity to learn how to sail our yacht Prilika. He’s a braver person than I am, moving around the yacht in less than perfect weather conditions!! Fantastic job-Well done and enjoy every minute.

Star of the Month JUNE 2024

July 1, 2024

Congratulations to Layla who has been chosen as June’s Star of the month. Layla has been recognized for her friendly, approachable and positive attitude, even when the team is dealing with difficulties. Layla is noted as someone who always brings positivity to the shift despite what may be going on”. Congratulations Layla and thank you. […]

Learn 4 Life Newsletter 14th June 2024

June 14, 2024

Dear Parents, Carers, and Students, I am thrilled to share some of the wonderful achievements and activities that have taken place at our school recently. Our students have demonstrated exceptional dedication, enthusiasm, and community spirit, and I could not be prouder of them. Congratulations on Final Exams!  First and foremost, a massive congratulations to all our students who […]

Learn 4 Life Newsletter 7th June 2024

June 7, 2024

Dear Parents, Carers, and Students, Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable half-term break. As we embark on the last term of this academic year, I am filled with pride and excitement for the weeks ahead. Our first week back has been nothing short of fantastic, with students returning with enthusiasm, […]

Star of the Month May 2024

June 1, 2024

Congratulations to Robyn from Waterworks for being voted May Star of the Month. Robyn has been recognized for the effort she has taken to receive feedback and act upon it. Robyn has dedicated herself to her personal development to make sure that she performs her role to the best of her ability consistently. Robyn is […]

Learn 4 Life Newsletter 24th May 24

May 28, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students, As we come to the end of the first half of the summer term, we reflect on a period filled with enthusiasm, engagement, and notable achievements. It has been a great start to the summer term with lots of engagement from the students. We have witnessed an outstanding attitude from […]

Learn 4 Life Newsletter 17th May 2024

May 20, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, I hope this message finds you well as we navigate through another busy and productive period here at Learn 4 Life School. As we approach the end of the academic year, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude and pride in our students for their exceptional efforts […]

Learn 4 Life Newsletter – 10th May 2024

May 10, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students, I hope this message finds you well. As we find ourselves fully immersed in the exam season, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you all and provide some updates from Learn 4 Life School. First, I must extend my sincere apologies for the recent lack of communication […]

STAR OF THE MONTH- APRIL 2024

May 8, 2024

Congratulations to Sophie who works on Mobile. Sophie has been nominated as staff of the month for showing real commitment and dedication to her role and the company. We are recognising Sophie for the excellent work she did in respect of transitioning a young person to a new home. Sophie used her natural character and […]

Prilika sets sail

April 23, 2024

We are delighted that Prilika is open for the season and T is the first to take her out around the Coast of Scotland and the Scotish Highlands. You wouldn’t think that she was only going for a week though!! Have an amazing time!!

OUR UNIQUE WATERBASED RESOURCES

All our facilities are available for short breaks and holidays, and are a crucial element or our long term placements.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY...

I honestly feel both you and your team did an incredible job with J.  Your team always placed his needs first and adapted to different ways of working based on his behaviour and needs.  Your reports, risk assessments and other documents were in depth and knowledgeable.  Information provided was always given in a timely manner and communication regularly and consistently. 

Social Worker

The whole team are child centred and are constantly adapting their practice to meet the child’s needs.

The whole ethos and passion is embedded in all your work and the standard of the home reflected this. Children don’t fit in boxes, but you manage to make the box fit the child, whatever shape that box needs to be.

Specialist SEN Worker- Milton Keynes

He has been able to slowly build positive relationships with adults around him, which he did not have before. Although still heavily monitored and supported, he is being able to enjoy and experience activities and experiences in life which other young people his age would be, and enjoying these, which he did not have the opportunity or ability to do before.

Despite disliking education, it is positive that he does go and engages in some of his learning, as opposed to not accessing school and spending all his time with the gang, which would likely have been the case if he had not been supported in the way he has by Care Afloat. In terms of his basic needs, the fact he is alive, healthy and using his time constructively it a real achievement compared to how things could have been for him now, if he had stayed at home or if he had been placed in the wrong placement, which had not worked for him and he had not engaged with so well.

Comments from an IRO

Care Afloat have in our opinion a good insight into working Therapeutically with young people and work effectively in regard to positive interventions with young people.  Whilst strategy, LAC meeting etc are all in the role and effectively managed Care Afloat, in my professional opinion they excelled in their direct work with our young person and their family, always with a restorative sense that keeps a focus on meeting the needs of the young person.

Our young person was previously considered to require a ‘secure intervention’ as the risks she was displaying where extreme on the child sexual exploitation side of risks. In fairness the Psychiatric report and suggested intervention that we had made was central to her plan of care and it has not been easy, however with a resolute plan and focused tasks she is in a much better place today and has flourished in the placement.

This is even more significant as she has moved from the crisis intervention aspect to a more Independent skills focus where she fully engages with her Pathway plan and has invested time into her educational, health and independent pathway, this has enabled a colleague, myself and Care Afloat to support and continue the long term work with parents who have by and large supported the placement throughout.

At present our young person appears to be progressing in every aspect of her development and is significantly remembering the lessons, not the disappointments from her past and is showing very encouraging signs. I am impressed with how Care Afloat work with her.

Professional feedback: Operational Manager

We should pick the house up and move it to my town, I‘d stay there forever then.

L.B.

"The staff were really nice I loved them”
“ I was always happy, there is nothing that would make me happier”
“They were funny”

 All from J.K.

We have used your mobile provision on a number of occasions and always found this to be a really helpful response when we have a young person in crisis. The advantages are that the staff are skilled at engaging with young people and can offer them an opportunity to distance themselves from the negative influences which are often controlling what the young person is involved in, crime and sexual exploitation in particular. They can keep them safe.

S.L. Assistant Commissioning Manager Salford

S. C. came back with a different attitude, definite improvement, shows more confidence and is desperate to come back (to you). I am very happy with the service

Social Worker

Care Afloat’s contribution to the South Lancashire Missing From Home Group has been invaluable. Our joint working has also ensured that the issues relating to the vulnerable young people in their care are addressed positively in a spirit of true partnership

Sgt. Stephen Eckersley Lancashire Constabulary

You have changed me so much, I’m so glad I’ve met you all. You helped me through things I didn’t think I could do on my own, you have made me feel myself again like a normal 15 year old…... Thank you so much for being there when I needed you….. Wish everyone all the best. I’m really happy I have made the right choice in moving to Care Afloat.

 N.

 I believe the standard of care provided was exceptional. Our young person was really cared for. There was a clear trauma informed approach which helped to address the young person past experiences. I found that this was the first placement out of three others where the young person was able to build routine, understand and respect boundaries and also receive educational and therapeutic support. In addition to this, I am amazed at the placement ability to acknowledge the young person’s parents and family. Contact was recorded effectively and supported with care and diligence. This is important because the placement is very far from young person’s family, therefore the placement were willing to make many adjustment to ensure young person could have quality contact. This was helpful when making decisions about the young person’s long term placement.

I sat with the young person earlier to today and she mentioned how she missed how the staff would take her to by her own food and cook this with her. Specifically talking about Afro-Caribbean food.

Risk was always communicated to myself and the other social worker promptly. The risk was often discussed in meetings and an updated risk assessment would take place. There was always a communication if there was a change to risk that had emerged in the past which was beneficial as it meant that the young person risk was being reviewed promptly.

I observed the Manager provide support to workers communicate our concerns and views in a way that helped to promote the needs of the child whilst also acknowledging the experience of the staff on board. In addition to this, I felt that I had the opportunity to work with a range of different staff who all embodied a trauma informed method of working and appeared to be really supportive of our young person. This was something that appeared to consistent amongst workers which benefits the young person stability and ability to build relationships.

SOCIAL WORKER (LAMBETH)

I’ve enjoyed myself. It hasn’t felt like a care home. It felt like my home. I got on with everyone and I’ll miss you loads. Thank you for helping me.

N.A
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