SH (665828) - Children's residential home required for a 14 year old female

Durham County Council require a registered children's home for a 14 year old female, SH.

Age: 14 Gender: Female Registered placement required from: ASAP

SH can present as a quiet young person when you first meet her but once she gets to know you, she can present as a bubbly, funny, sarcastic young person. SH tends to speak more to professionals who are women but is slowly getting more comfortable with male professionals.

SH has long dark black dyed hair with beautiful blue eyes. SH does not wear makeup. Although SH likes to wear fake tan and normally has long acrylic nails on. SH often wears jeans/leggings, hoodies, and trainers. SH has an EHCP and is currently being assessed for autism. SH does show a lot of traits of autism, but it is also useful to understand some of the traumas, SH has experienced within her lifetime. SH needs those she is with to have knowledge of working with trauma response behaviours and autism.

We know that when SH becomes dysregulated, she can get upset and become frustrated. SH can push staff and throw stuff when she feels heightened or uncomfortable. SH can calm down with the right response and this often requires patience and understanding. SH is able to reflect afterwards as to why she responds to things how she did. SH likes to feel heard by staff and needs nurturing.

If SH is struggling, she will reach out to those around her for support. For example, SH will use her phone to message staff and tell them if she is struggling. SH will text staff or professionals to inform them of her location and often will want them to come and see her to calm her down.

SH benefits from routine and having a plan in place. SH likes to plan out her week and know exactly what is happening. This will likely help SH to feel calm and regulated.

SH has a warm, kind, and caring side to her, and this shows when working with her. SH has a great interest in animals but more so horses. We know that this can help her to regulate her emotions, and this helps her to feel calm. SH loves to visit theme parks and go on rides. SH has a love for Tik Tok and Netflix.

SH requires a home where she can work alongside people who have patience, compassion and caring side. SH needs staff to work with her and be reasonable with her when she is having a bad time. Staff would need to understand SH mental health and her behaviours. We know when SH becomes heightened, she often requires her own space and staff to support her when she is ready. SH will often like a cuddle with a staff members once she is regulating her emotions.

SH has created her own safety plan with professionals to allow us to understand what SH feels she needs in them difficult moments.