Clara House
- Age Range: 16 - 17 on admission
- Capacity: Up to 4
- Gender: Male and female
- Length of stay: Medium to long
- Location: Plymouth, Devon
Clara House is a safe, comfortable and nurturing home, where young people age 16 – 18 can feel truly cared for and supported. We help them build the abilities they need to live independently, focusing on practical and emotional growth.
During their stay with us, we create a bespoke plan that addresses each young person’s needs and wishes. Children who come to Clara House typically have a foundation in basic independent living, such as doing their own laundry and cooking. In helping further these skills, we support a smooth transition to adulthood and facilitate better outcomes for young people leaving care.
Description of the home
The house itself is welcoming and spacious, nestled in a lovely residential area. A short walk takes you to the vibrant community areas of Mutley Plain and Hyde Park, with convenient public transport options nearby.
Inside, the house offers a bright and impressive entrance hall, a dining room and a cosy living room. The heart of the home is the large kitchen and breakfast room, complete with modern integrated appliances. Upstairs are five comfortable bedrooms, including one designated as a carer’s sleep-in room or office. There is a spacious family bathroom with a separate bath and shower and an additional shower room with a toilet. Outside, the courtyard garden is a peaceful retreat with a charming table and chairs for enjoying sunny afternoons.
Plymouth offers a wide variety of activities and experiences for young people to explore and enjoy. Clara House is just a 15-minute walk from Plymouth city centre, and the nearby Ebrington Street and Mutley Plain are buzzing with shops, cafes, and local amenities.
Staff experience
The team at Clara House are all level 3 or above qualified, with considerable experience working with teenagers in residential homes. Team members have previously worked with children and young people who have experienced trauma, including sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, mental health concerns, drug and alcohol abuse and learning disabilities. They have also worked with absconding/missing young people and young people going through pregnancy.
We understand that the move from full-time care to semi-independent living can be emotionally difficult. Clara House has an in-house Clinician who visits the home once a week to support the team and give advice on any support the young people may need.
Carers have access to the Clinician for weekly consultations. These may include bespoke workshops and clinical supervision. Consistency of these meetings is vital so that the Clinician can observe changes and advise on how best to support the team.
Outcomes for young people at Clara House
At Clara House, we support children in creating, adapting, and fulfilling their own Pathway Plans. As part of this support, we ensure that any goals children wish to achieve before transitioning to independent living are clearly outlined in their plans. We then empower children to take the lead in achieving these aspirations, with guidance from support staff when needed.
The team at Clara House is all trained in PACE therapeutic parenting and use playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, empathy, and love to support children in forming connections with others. This is key in helping children understand appropriate relationships, the importance of community, and the ability to identify and use the social skills needed in adulthood.
To ensure children are achieving desired outcomes, we record key conversations, instances of independence skills being built and utilised, and safeguarding concerns to build a deeper understanding of the young person and identify areas of strength and areas for development.
Each young person’s Pathway Plan will be reviewed every six months, with new goals added and achieved goals noted. Clear support plans and risk assessments are in place so that support for children remains consistent and considered, allowing them every opportunity to thrive. Young people’s records are reviewed by management and shared with social workers to ensure oversight of their journey and progress.