Newcombe House

Supporting individuals who self harm

• Specialists in the provision of Alliance Agreements and promoting Safe Tolerance.
• Education through Althea Parks Independently registered special school.
• Weekly therapeutic input from a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
• A complete aftercare package and support workers for young care leavers to live independently.
• Assistance in providing well informed Placement and Pathway Plans.
• Weekly Drama and Art Therapy.
• High staff ratios.

Newcombe House is a specialist residential resource specifically designed for young adolescent females who present with self injurious behaviour. In addition to self harm, they may be experiencing associated difficulties such as: an eating disorder, depression, substance misuse, challenging behaviour, family breakdown, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual vulnerability/abuse and other mental health issues.

Newcombe House opened in early 2001 and offers a safe and nurturing therapeutic environment for up to five young women, 13-18 years, who require a period of medium to long-term residential care and therapy. Referrals are accepted from Social Services Departments, PCTs and Health Authorities. The service is managed by Althea Park and is ultimately owned by the leading health and social care provider, Care UK.

Althea Park Services has a complete aftercare package and aftercare workers to inform and support the young people of their options and guide them through the stages of independent living. Staff are trained in providing an aftercare service and developing realistic pathway plans with the young people of care leaving age.

The home is very well presented with spacious gardens and therapeutic and life skill facilities, it is based in a rural location near to Stroud in Gloucestershire. We provide a warm and homely environment in which the young people can develop positive relationships, engage in therapeutic change and growth and learn coping strategies and life skills to enable them to live independently.

At Newcombe House there is a clear focus on helping each individual develop alternative strategies to self-injury and risk-taking behaviour. There is an emphasis on each resident fully participating in their own recovery. Young people are helped to engage with the skilled staff team to address difficult and disturbing behaviours. There is a specific programme of group and individual therapy and counselling focused on addressing the underlying problems of poor self-image and low self-worth. All therapy is undertaken by appropriately qualified staff led by a senior practitioner and a psychiatrist and psychologist who visit the home once a week.

There is also a programme of psycho-social education to address issues such as women’s health, body-image, contraception, pregnancy and STDs (including HIV/AIDS).