About Safe Haven
A holistic approach to therapy for children, young people, and families
Ethos
Established in 2019, Safe Haven offers a flexible and innovative approach for children and families. It is possible for families to create a safe haven even while experiencing adversity. Indeed, that is when shelter is most needed. Safe Haven helps families to build stronger relationships, children and young people to find security, and professionals to have deepened understanding of the families they serve.
Equality and Diversity Vision
At Safe Haven there is an emphasis on seeing the child, young person, and family as a whole within the context of their lived experiences and with acknowledgment they may be different from those of the professionals with whom they engage. Some factors which may contribute to a referral for therapy, such as disability including physical, intellectual or neurodiversity, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not viewed as problems within themselves but contexts for the child, young person or family, that are given due regard when helping them to access therapy and with a deep sense of acceptance. Safe Haven believes that every person has the right to live a life free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and disadvantage regardless of their age, disability, gender or gender choice, pregnancy and parental responsibilities, race, relationship status, religion or belief and sexual orientation. To pursue this goal, Safe Haven consistently questions its attitudes, practices and objectives to ensure that it contests discrimination at every level whilst seeking to provide an inclusive environment that offers equality to all.
Safe Haven Therapy Services is committed to offering a fair and inclusive service where all are free from prejudice and have the support they need to achieve their full potential.
Location
Creative Arts and Play Therapy Room
Therapy is provided from a central base located in the village of Wath-Upon-Dearne in South Yorkshire. This location is a convenient distance for Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Sheffield. It is also accessible from the M1 and is near the main bus station in the town centre. The versatile and welcoming therapy room is on the second floor of a period building with beautiful landscape views. To see images of the room and resources offered please click here.
At home
In some situations the only way a child, young person, or family can access therapy is if sessions happen in their home. For example, this may be due to a child/young person’s complex needs making if difficult for them to leave the house for any reason. Theraplay is the main type of therapy that may be offered in the home.
Online
In some instances, online therapy sessions are the best option. For example, this can be the case if family life prevents parents/carers from attending their parent-only or Feel-good Family Toolkit sessions. Theraplay, which includes parent/carers along with their child, can be offered online with great effectiveness in some circumstances. Unfortunately, creative arts and individual play therapy are not offered online.
Testimonials
When asked what they thought of coming to see Dena, young people said:
“Hakunna Mattata!” -child with intellectual disability and autism
“Who wouldn’t want to come and see Dena? It’s the best part of my week. I can be myself.” -Year 10 student
“It’s a lot of fun and helpful.” -Year 8 student
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Here is what families and professionals have to say:
“Dena’s work has changed so much for this child. We couldn’t see past [child’s] emotional needs to her underlying neurodiversity. We can meet her needs at school much better now. The PEACE module helped us as a school.” -Primary SENDCO