Cares2 Case Study 2
Gender Male
Age at Admission 14
Age at Discharge  17

"Y" had the label of being one of the worst young people within the county.  He had been resident at every residential home within the county, none of whom felt that they could manage his behaviour so as a final attempt, he was placed with Cares2.  

"Y" had been diagnosed as having Bi-polar disorder (manic depression).  He suffered from agoraphobia, enuresis and was highly aggressive.  He was a school refuser who struggled in a group environment.  When he had attended school, he had been permanently excluded on several occasions, due to anger management issues.  His relationship with mum was sporadic, partly due to "Y's" perception of mum's new partner, who "Y" felt was keeping them apart and was "partly the reason he was in care, whist his brother and sister remained within the family home".

Through his time with Cares2, and with staff assistance, "Y" rebuilt his relationship with his mum, realising that he could have a relationship with mum but still tolerate mum's new partner.

Although a persistent non attender at school, "Y" had an amazing musical ability. Cares2 helped "Y" to channel this talent leading to him attending 6th Form College, undertaking music technology on a full time basis.

When "Y" first came to stay with us he possessed poor interpersonal skills, most of this was based around previous professionals, who were afraid to confront "Y's" negative and aggressive behaviour, nor listen to his point of view. This resulted in perpetuating "Y's" behaviours, resulting in him not accepting criticism. Cares2 staff involved and encouraged "Y", to participate in his live at every level, thus reducing his fear, enabling him to trust people.

Although "Y" suffered from agoraphobia, with support from staff, working on Independent living skills, "Y" became more confident, and was more able  to deal with the world.

Working on the principle that the child is a child first, and the disability comes second, we advocated on "Y's" behalf, when at 17, other professionals wished to go down a mental health route.  "Y" had previously been diagnosed as having a conduct disorder, and on nearing 18, other professionals wished to change this to a personality disorder which, Cares2 felt, would not have been in "Y's" best interest.  Our advocacy enabled "Y" to take control of his own life and work towards independence.
All of the above input, and with "Y" putting in a lot of hard work himself, "Y" eventually worked towards, and achieved independence, including being placed in his own flat.  This was supported by the staff of Cares2, with "Y" contacting us whenever he felt the need for support.