Caryn Onions Group
This research examined how the therapeutic environment at The Mulberry Bush works. Between 2015 and 2017 a team of researchers carried out observations in the intensive 24/7 residential school. They found that staff are trained and supported to stay close to children's feeling states and to understand that children's behaviour often communicates strong and painful feelings. The approach is distinctive.
There is relatively little research like this in the UK looking at therapeutic residential settings for traumatised young children. The long term effects of early trauma and abuse are well documented therefore it is vital to understand how best to care for and treat these young vulnerable children. There is an urgent need for the sector to improve its staff training and support and this study starts to outline how that is possible.
This study complimented an earlier quantitative project and bringing the two together shows that a therapeutic approach to helping traumatised young children can really help, children and their families as well as their professional networks.
Qualitative research study of a therapeutic residential primary school caring for children with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
This study followed on from the IOE project and aimed to get to the heart of what happens at the Mulberry Bush Sch & to explore how the therapeutic environment
