What People Say

Staff consistently use their skills to support children to have fun and to ensure that there are clear age-appropriate boundaries and routines in place. There is a good balance between the two. Staff help children to understand why they are unable to live with their families. They work together in a consistent way to ensure that children feel stable and secure in their care.

They were really responsive, quick to action anything, got all of the documents to us in a timely manner and I just felt that it was the most positive experience.

Being at Arthog has showed me there is a different way of living, and I enjoy living my life this way.

Any young person would be privileged to live in this home. The care provided to my child and to us as parents has been exceptional.

This is by far the best place I have lived. The staff really care and have helped me with my issues.

Right now I would say I could not have found a better placement for my client.

It was so lovely to see her looking well, happy and relaxed. Your home has such a friendly homely atmosphere, and the staff all seemed great and her key worker genuinely lovely. We left feeling reassured and confident that she is doing well and in good hands.

Young people make exceptional progress because their day-to-day experiences are consistently positive. They receive personalised care and support from a committed, knowledgeable, skilled and motivated staff team. Listening to young people is an overarching principle in the day-to-day running of the home.

The young person lives in a home that is safe, homely and provides him with space to grow and develop. Staff have paid attention to detail in respect of furnishings and design, which means that the young person has personalised space that he is proud of and that very much reflects his individuality.

Overall, children have a well developed sense of belonging at the home and their relationships with staff give them confidence to manage their day to day circumstances and achieve good outcomes.

My daughter recently left bracken lodge to come home to her family after spending 11 months with some amazing people. The love, care and support she received while being at bracken lodge has been outstanding. They have all worked tirelessly to give her the care and support she needed.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you all. We’ve had tears, laughter, shouting and all the other emotions you could probably ever think of, but I can honestly say it’s been the best 2 years of my life.

Before moving to this home, my young person’s engagement in education was hugely concerning. I am so pleased at the transformation.

It was so lovely to to see the amazing work that you do with the young people that reside with you.

I have been impressed with all staff members who I have communicated with regarding my young person. There is regular communication and sharing of safeguarding. My young person really has been put first at all times and all staff have been so proactive in trying to engage him and keep him safe and it’s recognised how proactive Keys Group have been in doing this.

Thank you to you and all your team for being so fab to work alongside. It is a pleasure to see the efforts that we are all making be so evident in our boy.

If it wasn’t for Arthog, I would never in life have had the opportunities to do all of these activities

The manager is inspirational and leads by example. The manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager, who assists her in the running of the home. The leadership team has established a culture of positivity. Managers have excellent oversight of the home and the exceptional progress that the children continue to make.

A supportive and nurturing ethos is evident in daily life and children treat the home as their home. They are involved in social and leisure activities in the home and local community and have developed friendships with children living in the local area.

Staff are positive role models. They understand the diverse communication styles of each young person, whether this is through hand signals, pictorial images or spoken word. This allows the staff to gain young people’s views and helps young people to make good choices.

I feel that the staff are dedicated to him [the child]. They are committed to working with him, no matter what he throws at them. They look at what he enjoys doing and interests him. This has been key.

Everyone who walks through the doors to this home cares about us.

Young people, parents and involved agencies have nothing but positive things to say about the care and support provided.

Can I thank you very much for all the hospitality you and your workers have shown me over the last 12/18 months, it has made the whole process much easier for me when working with this young person. You must be very proud of all your staff and the work that they carry out with the less fortunate children you look after. I am certainly impressed.

I enjoy living here. It’s a good place. They take your feelings into consideration and try to understand what’s wrong. They help you as much as they can. I get a lot of support.

The staff plan well and are proactive in responding to young people’s anxieties. As a result, physical interventions are rarely used.

Young people live in a warm and welcoming environment.

Every member of staff has been amazing to both my son and to us as a family. I wanted to say thank you to everyone for being so supportive when at times I couldn’t see a way forward. We are so pleased to have our son home.

Young people living at the home and those who have left the home have made significant progress in all aspects of their lives.

Overall, children have a well developed sense of belonging at the home and their relationships with staff give them confidence to manage their day to day circumstances and to thrive. They are confident expressing their wishes and feelings and have access to specialist support services to meet their needs and fulfil their potential.

I could not fault the care provided; staff are exceptional.

Staff know that some situations can be extremely stressful for young people, such as when they are settling into their new home. They provide sensitive support that enables the young people to explore and settle into their new surroundings at their own pace.

The staff team are second to none and the support I have received has helped me through many difficult times. The home has a very unique and diverse staff team and no matter what, they will always support you through your highest highs and your lowest lows.

Young people are happy and generally get on well with each other. They like the home. One young person thought it should be given an outstanding judgement.

When I first arrived at Deane Villa, I was very anxious because I was completely out of my comfort zone. I came from a big city to a remote quiet house and they instantly made me feel welcome from the little things like immediately being friendly, to offering snacks and refreshments, to buying me little gifts to make me feel welcome.

He’s had a few placements where he’s struggled. Here, he’s engaged with school and engaged with therapy. He seems quite settled. They really are lovely with him. Generally, I am happy with how he’s doing. The staff are very nurturing, but there are also boundaries. They’ve really met his needs.

The staff team creates a safe and welcoming home that enables the young people to develop, and to start on their journeys to adult life. The young people develop positive relationships of trust and respect with the staff.

The client I am responsible for has a learning disability and Mental Health Problem. I am very pleased with the confidence the Managers are leading their team and all risk assessments are strong and a balance is found between independence, support, boundaries and protection.