Powys charity Amberleigh recognised for its work with young people

Welshpool-based children’s service Amberleigh Care has been recognised for its specialist therapeutic care and education intervention with looked after young people.

Amberleigh was established in 2004. It provides specialist therapeutic care and education for vulnerable young males, aged between 11-18 who have gone through trauma in their early lives and its aim is “to reduce and prevent the cycle of abuse by helping young people to both recover from their own underpinning trauma.”

Amberleigh (Image: Amberleigh)

It is the only fully accredited therapeutic service for young people in Wales and one of only six in the whole of the UK.

It has grown and evolved successfully over the last 18 years – providing excellent outcomes for its young people and they claim their work is consistently good value for money for local authorities.

The service won the Community Organisation Award after gaining a strong reputation amongst Welsh local authorities and excellent quality inspection feedback from both CIW for the care provision and from Estyn for its independent school.

The award judges praised by the judges, who said: “Working with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the UK, the nature of the boy’s needs are complex and sometimes highly sensitive.

“This amazing organisation work to break the cycle of abuse, reduce harm to victims, build hope from love, care, boundaries, responsibility and safe management of risk.”

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Amberleigh also has a sister service based in Shropshire which is also accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The award comes as the service comes under threat of closure.

Amberleigh could be in danger of being closed as a result of Welsh Government’s policy to eliminate independent sector provision from Wales and they say that they “are fighting to ensure that young people retain access to the specialist expertise that they need.”