OS (579099) - Opportunity to work with Durham County Council for a bespoke residential children's ho...

Registered children's residential home required for 15 year old OS with ADHD and ASD.
OS is a 15-year-old male, he has autism/ADHD and assessed to have low IQ (however this could potentially be reassessed as it is felt he is functioning at higher than his assessed IQ). OS finds it difficult to manage his behaviour and emotions, which can often lead to aggressive behaviour.
OS does have a loving family but due to the he poses towards family and in particular his younger brother parents feel OS cannot continue to reside in the family home. However, they do not want to cut ties with OS and want to remain a part of his life, they continue to play an active role in his care planning and would hope in the future if he receives the appropriate support he could return home, it is clear they love him very much.
When OS is feeling settled, and positive he is a lovely young man and great to engage with and visit. OS is very chatty and has a good sense of humour and likes to have a joke; at his parents’ home he has a pet dog which he taught tricks to and during visits enjoyed showing the tricks to professionals. When OS is in a positive mood he will engage well with activities, he enjoys fishing (he used to be in a fishing group with his dad), has engaged in water sports with previous professionals involved who stated he loved it and at the moment he is very much enjoying fitness. At OS current education provision, he spends 2/3 times a week boxing and is looking into participating in boxing outside of school time too and is considering a fight in a charity match in December.
When OS is unable to manage his negative feelings such as anger, upset or frustration, or when he feels those around him are not listening to his views and at times when being told no there can be a change in his behaviour. When OS is feeling angry, upset, or frustrated he can make threats to those around him, call names, swear, cause damage to things around him such as punching doors/walls and breaking items. OS behaviour can also be physically abusive, he has assaulted parents and wider family network including his younger brother DS – there has been incidents within education getting into fights, however this is not untypical for a teenage boy. OS typically does not typically demonstrate physical violence towards the professionals working with him, however, there have been a number of incidents where he has made threats and caused damage within his placement, and to belongings of staff and whilst we acknowledge this is a worry it can be expected due to the lack of stability and uncertainty that coincides with an unregistered placement this has triggered an escalation in behaviour. OS says there are strategies to calm him down such as going for a walk or listening to music, but these are preventive strategies if OS emotions escalate quickly these will not work. OS has stated he will continue to work with professionals for the support required and want’s help with managing his emotions and anger but does find this difficult.
There have been times where OS has self- harmed causing cuts to his arms, however these have been deemed superficial cuts and it is suspected this has been to seek attachment from those around him and a sign that he is feeling upset and needs support. It is clear at the moment due to OS understanding and processing, likely linked to his autism/ADHD he is struggling with understanding/acknowledging the reasons he is in care and feels rejected by family which is impacting both his mental health and sense of identity. OS can often appear as a very confident young person and speaks a significant amount about criminal activities/pro criminal peers and has had a number of police involvement – however I believe a lot of this is due to him being confused with his identity and trying to fit in with others. I often find when OS is feeling low in mood this is when he speaks most about crime, drugs, and aggression and this is when he will need the most support from those around him.
We would like for OS to live in a home where he feels safe and have adults around him who provide him with support around managing his emotions and helping him to understand his feelings therapeutic intervention is paramount for OS.
Again, whilst we acknowledge that OS does have Autism/ADHD, he is still very independent, and he would need a placement which promotes this independence whilst also acknowledging his neuro needs – so balance is key.
We acknowledge that there is risks with OS but believe many of these can be managed with rules, consistent boundaries and positive praise – many risks are situational and links to pro-criminal peers and when not with these peers and he feels safe, settled and positive these risks are minimised.
We know OS has good goals and aspirations for his future and has spoken about wanting to attend university and has considered his future jobs stating he may be a bricklayer or if he continues to do well boxing, he would like to do this professionally. We would want to ensure OS lives in a home which supports him to achieve his full potential both now, and in the future.