Owned and Run by Qualified Social Workers
Channels and Choices was established in 2005. It was started by a group of Qualified Social Workers who had become increasingly frustrated with the quality of children’s residential homes when placing young people.

From that time Channels and Choices has developed in to a Centre of excellence in child care and residential children’s homes. We offer the highest quality of care to all looked after children helping them improve their outcomes and reach their full potential.

Having an intensive level of staff support and supervision allows the young person to establish and form positive relationships with other young people and the staff members. Channels and Choices has a minimum of 1:1 staff to child ratio.

Resilience and attachment theory research have emphasised the importance of creating a secure base for the children where they can feel safe and able to try new experiences and activities. Channels and Choices is activity based and all young people will be encouraged to take part in a large variety of sports and hobbies that they may enjoy.

Channels and Choices believe that regular excercise and having a healthy lifestyle helps young people reach their potential and meet and socialise with other young people.  We have organised free gym membership for all young people living at Channels and Choices. The exciting activity programme includes dancing, street dance, football, boxing, martial arts, cycling, swimming, fishing, boat fishing, boat excursions, crabbing, drama, adventure and educational trips away, holidays,  and horse riding to name just a few. We also have links with St John Ambulance, drama schools and other specialist organisations that can help young people gain awards and qualifications.

Channels and Choices is a warm, safe and welcoming environment. The houses locations range from rural houses in the countryside to more urban locations. All staff are trained to a high level and supervised by a member of the senior management team- all experienced Qualified Social Workers.

Channels and Choices have adopted an integrative therapeutic approach to working with young people. Primarily our work is based on an Attachment Theory model and is Psychoanalytical in our approach. In line with attachment theory and resilience research we focus on creating a secure base for all young people placed with us through demonstrating best practice combined with therapy, education and a variety of activities. Therefore we aim to achieve the correct mix of behaviour modification paired with a nurturing therapeutic approach.

Channels and Choices are part a pioneering piece of work with Christine Bradley- a well respected Psychotherapist, trainer and consultant who worked alongside Donald Winnicott and Barbara Docker Drysdale to develop thinking and insight in to the world of emotionally fragmented children. ‘Bearing the Unbearable’ is a comprehensive resource for working with young people with extensive and complex psychological, behavioural and social needs. As an on-going piece of work Christine has helped focus and deliver effective therapeutic interventions whilst developing insight and understanding.

All care plans will be tailor made around the individual child’s needs. Each child’s package of care can include education provided by qualified teachers and therapy from our in-house Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists. Channels and Choices are members of The Charterhouse Group of Therapeutic Communities and The Community of Communities; part of The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Please click on the logos below to visit the sites.

Channels and Choices provides residential care to children with emotional and behavioural difficulties from the ages of 8-18. Each house can facilitate up to three children which alongside the high levels of supervision eliminates issues of bullying and other risk taking behaviour as well as allowing each child to develop their self esteem in a fun and stimulating way.

Channels and Choices run a detailed Independent Living Programme including skills assessment and pathway planning to help young people prepare for moving on from Channels and Choices This process begins with a holistic skills assessment of the young person’s independence skills and then a plan is devised in order to develop the necessary areas. When they leave Channels and Choices there is also a free outreach service to ensure that the young person settles in their new environment as comfortably as possible.