Psychology and Therapies

Deeper understanding

Ruskin Mill Trust’s Practical Skills Therapeutic Education method embeds our therapeutic approach to human development throughout our children and young people’s day and residential sessions and activities. Sunfield also provides a more targeted therapeutic programme for our children and young people, in addition to our practical curriculum, through discrete therapy sessions and input from the therapy team into day and residential planning.

Sunfield’s on-site Psychology and Therapy department offers holistic, comprehensive and detailed assessment and therapy provision, which is tailored to each child or young person at our residential special school. Their invaluable insight and input provides a deep understanding of the child or young person’s complex and multi-faceted needs, and helps to formulate strategies through which individuals can overcome barriers, and be supported to maximise their potential.

Our specialist team comprises a range of disciplines including: Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Steiner based therapies such as Eurhythmy, Therapeutic Art, Massage Therapy, and Colour Light Therapy.

Collaborative approach

The Psychology and Therapy department works closely to share knowledge, insights and experience with colleagues in our education, land and residential settings. This integrated approach ensures that every child and young person’s psychological, emotional, occupational, sensory processing and communication needs are fully identified and met.

The expert team also provides training to staff and families, alongside emotional support, facilitated reflection and proactive planning. The focus is on empowering staff and families to feel confident in understanding and supporting the young people through both challenging times and times of development.

“The Psychology and Therapy Department works closely with parents and other professionals to gain a better understanding of the young people and to carefully offer those therapies that would promote development.”

Maria Peris, Head of Psychology and Therapy Team, Sunfield Children’s Home

Meaningful and successful living

At Sunfield, the team focuses on goals which are meaningful to each child or young person, their family and the team around the child or young person. This may include supporting their increased independence in personal care, feeding, or dressing, developing school-based skills such as handwriting, or accessing a variety of leisure and social activities. Whatever their individual goals, we work together, with the children and young people, to help them achieve– with confidence and enjoyment.

Behaviour Management

Sunfield believes that understanding and managing behaviour is the key to promoting safety, confidence and mutual respect.

Sunfield’s Behaviour Management team are dedicated to the analysis of, and insight into, a wide variety of behaviours. They use specialised assessment techniques to identify possible emotional and mental health problems, as well as the everyday traumas and triggers that may be contributing to distress and negative patterns of behaviour.

Based on the results of the initial assessment, the teams devise a Behaviour Development Plan for each child or young person and then work together to implement, monitor and update this plan, in response to changing needs. The aims are to help each child or young person develop confidence, self-esteem and a sense of caring and respect for others, promoting co-operative relationships with peers and adults, and developing a range of social skills and effective coping strategies.

Understanding each child or young person

When a child or young person joins Sunfield, they undergo a full multi-disciplinary assessment, involving professionals across Psychology and Therapy, Land, Education and Care, as well as drawing on the expertise of our colleagues in the Health and Catering teams.

Working together to build up a profile of each child’s existing strengths and priority areas for development, the Sunfield team then use this profile to set out goals in social communication and emotional regulation, providing key areas for development throughout each child or young person’s daily activities.