Amicus’ Therapeutic Outcomes Explained

Outcomes for children are a core part of our work in the Amicus Community, we are focused on the therapeutic journey for all our children, and we want to facilitate progressive, aspiring, and relevant outcomes for each child. They may be unique to that child and different from other children of the same age as they are based on the child’s emotional and cognitive ability rather than their ‘expected’ stage of development. Without progression in emotional stability, the building of trusting relationships, and controlling of their behaviours the children will be impacted long term and into their adult lives. Therefore, these areas are a priority for our children and form the basis of our therapeutic treatment and aims and outcomes.

How the therapeutic outcomes are used in our therapeutic placement plans

Our Therapeutic Placement Plans address the holistic needs of a child and are covered in various sections. As the child’s age increases, so do their requirements for increased independence and transitional plans, therefore those areas are added.

Amicus therapeutic outcomes explained.

The areas are as follows:

1. Child’s details and placement information with names and key contact details of professionals
2. Child’s background and placement history
3. Local Authority Care Plan Aims and Objectives of placement
4. Main aim of placement
5. How this will be achieved
6. Specific targets/milestones for the child to achieve whilst at Amicus
7. How this will be assessed
8. Related documents (with links)
9. Plan and Targets
10. Positive and Protective factors and strengths
11. Achievements / hobbies / personal targets
12. Voice of the child
13. Details of agreed contact arrangement (with family or significant people)
14. Placement Planning Meetings / Reviews Chronology (with links to reviews/meetings)
15. Confirmation of Therapeutic Placement Plan being viewed and agreed by (those involved with the child)

Each child’s Therapeutic Placement Plan has a section on the Plan and Target for the child starting with the first 0- 6 months of placement and then moving on from that as their placement progresses. The plan for the child contains the following headings which are:
• Emotions and Empathy
• Attachments
• Self-regulation
• Identity and Self-worth • Skills for Life
• Education

Under each of these headings is the:
1) Identified need/ intervention needed,
2) Aims and objectives /targets,
3) How this will be achieved and by whom, including therapeutic input and guidance for staff / Approaches to use / Plan and frequency of intervention
4) Progress and Evidence

Reviews of Therapeutic Placement Plans and Statutory and Annual Reviews

The children’s Therapeutic Placement Plans are regularly reviewed and updated approximately every 3 months and in line with their CLA or AER. The children also receive a child-friendly version of their plan which is gone through with them with a staff member, so they understand how we are helping and supporting them and what they are working towards.

Before each Statutory and Annual Review, the child will have the chance to complete the child-friendly Amicus ‘Your Review’ document and will be consulted on their hopes and wishes. This review enables them to have a voice and opinion about the outcomes and issues that affect them as individuals, and collectively as part of the Amicus child group. There are many other regular meetings and informal spaces for the children to tell adults looking after them their thoughts, feelings, and views at any time, and the thoughts and views of children are sought on various issues that affect them on a regular basis.

Additional outcomes that influence our therapeutic outcomes

Additionally, Amicus is committed to the outcomes of the Quality Standards as well as the defined outcomes to be achieved, as documented in the child’s local authority Care Plans and /or their EHCPs, and we integrate these outcomes and the framework within our therapeutic practice. In line with our therapeutic model, we also use the Community of Communities Core Values and Standards in terms of our outcome’s framework (link to a page on the website). We ensure the appropriate sharing of information and working together with the children’s parents /carers (where appropriate) Local Authorities, and local CAMHS, IFD, to protect children from harm, to ensure their safety and wellbeing, and achieving what they want in life.