About Willowdene 

Here at Willowdene we believe that for a young person to achieve and maximize his or her potential; emphasis is placed on a child cantered approach tailored to each individual. We believe each young person is unique and therefore great care and attention to detail is needed when admitting a young person into Willowdene making sure that it is the right place for them. 

• By providing a safe and nurturing environment that enables a young person to overcome any traumas or abuse they may have suffered in their past. Empowering the young person by maximizing their potential and life chances in their development.
• Young people are supported with their social skills and personal development, by individual social story work, social scaffolding when facing new social challenges.
• Prompting and rewarding all positive choices that the young person makes. Enhancing the relevant social skills that are needed for a young person to achieve their desired outcomes.
• Ensuring that all young people are protected from harm and safeguarded as much as possible by creating an environment and a culture that promotes their safety, education and wellbeing. This is of paramount importance, and we will work tirelessly to engage young people in all aspects of their development.
• To provide caring and nurturing staff, who are fun and are seen as positive role models to the young people. The staff team is built up of both genders and varied ages with diverse and interesting backgrounds.

Ensuring that all young people are protected from harm and safeguarded as much as possible by creating an environment and a culture that promotes their safety, education, and wellbeing. This is of paramount importance, and we will work tirelessly to engage young people in all aspects of their development. 

All these aims and objectives are underpinned by excellent childcare and a professional, committed individuals in their pursuit to deliver outstanding service to the young people. The staff team here at Willowdene has a firm belief that regardless of the issues that have happened previously. The staff will work together to ensure that the future is a safer and better place for them. 

We work with a non-judgmental philosophy. Everything is done to ensure that our service-users leave our care as respectful, respected members of the community.

 Willowdene provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year placement and we offer consistent care through our high levels of supervision, security and stability. This is done in a structured manner with appropriate boundaries and expectations within which our young people can develop confidence and self-esteem.

We have considerable experience in understanding and managing challenging behaviours and all staff and management use a Therapeutic approach when dealing with such incidents. There are appropriate staffing levels, between staff young people ratios are 1-1 unless some children require additional support. 

We offer a calm and comfortable environment – with structured daytime and evening routines – and we can facilitate contact arrangements, court work, escort services and counselling when needed. (New Horizons North Wales have our own in-house therapist to offer counselling should young people or staff require it.)

The ethos of Willowdene aims to further reinforce the potential of our children and young people – rather than dwell and focus on any negative or problematic aspect of the previous behaviour. We do this by quickly discovering their skills, talents, abilities, and interests – and with participation and engagement, we build upon these strengths as we look forward. 

Part of our vision is to ensure good role models in the carers that are employed to work in the home and to ensure that they have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to support and guide children and young people through developing good, professional, trusting relationships.

We believe in persistence and will endeavour to work through the most difficult and challenging periods of young people’s lives. Part of our vision is that children and young people always have someone to turn to everyday and especially at times of crisis.