Testimonials
The following are testimonials provided by professionals and anonymised for the website. If you are a social care professional considering working with us please don't hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to provide contact details to verify and reference for your due diligence.
Testimonial provided by Independent Reviewing Officer, Gloucestershire
As a local authority reviewing officer, I have had a consistently positive experience of Forest Youth Services. The young people I am responsible for who live with FYS feedback that they are happy there and that they want to stay. My observations would be that Forest have a strong relationship based ethos, are strengths based, and truly positive about young people. FYS do seem to stand out from some other independent provision and I never worry about high staff turnover, or a lack of “hands on” parenting. Whenever a young person I am responsible for is placed with FYS I feel confident that they will be well cared for, and feel well cared for. I am confident that Forest will take time to get to know a young person and what works for them (and what doesn’t) and will adapt their service to the young person’s needs. I will feel confident that safety and all the stuff that is just “happening now” will be really well managed, but alongside this there will be really good working with the local authority and an emphasis on keeping on track with longer term plan to ensure the young person’s transition to the post 18 world is as smooth as possible. Thanks for being a truly good parent Forest Youth Services!
Testimonial provided by Advanced Practitioner, Gloucestershire
I have nothing but positives to share in regards to my experience with Forest Youth Service. They have been fantastic on all levels, from a professional working level, in managing statutory requirements, offering to support and always being available when needed but also on a young persons level, which is even more important, understanding the world surrounding them, tailoring their support and really understanding and recognising that all young people are different and therefore requiring different support and approaches, with a really healthy and refreshing view of not being be too square or rigid in their approach. Staff, as well as management, always answers my calls promptly and are always available for a conversation. My young person is at significant less risk of harm since being placed with Forest Youth Service and I would very much like to use them again.
Testimonial from Senior Social Worker, Gloucestershire
I have been really impressed by the service delivered by Forest Youth Services. Support Workers practice to a high standard and have a good understanding of safeguarding which has enabled them to keep the young person we are currently working with safe. Forest Youth Services have played a significant role in safety planning for this young person and have ensured that this is adhered to. Staff also have a sound understanding of the young person’s needs which allows them to both advocate for the young person and offer support to address concerns. I am grateful that the young person with whom we are working with was placed with Forest Youth Services as I feel that they have played a significant role in de-escalating concerns for this young person.
Testimonial by Student Mentor, Gloucestershire College
I have been working with Forest Youth Services since December when one of my students was helped to leave an abusive family home. FYS provided a ‘home’ (not just a room in a building) and support in all areas of the young person’s life.
The student was encouraged to attend medical appointments, college and relevant counselling sessions all arranged by FYS. FYS were continually in contact with college with regards to attendance, support with lessons and attended and contributed to all meetings. This provided continuity for the student and help with her course when necessary.
There has always been a firm but fair approach and the student has always been aware of their
expectations and boundaries.
Thank you all for your support.
Testimonial from Social worker, Gloucestershire
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to recommend the services of Forest Youth Services. As a social worker, I have worked closely with this service having supported a young adult placed in their service. The service offered therapeutic support to a young person who had had adverse and traumatic childhood experiences. The young person described the service as being supportive and caring, something she had been longing for most of her life. It was reassuring to find a service provider of this nature.
I highly commend them for their safeguarding practices. The service liaised with all professionals working with the young person in ensuring her safety and wellbeing was safeguarded. The team alerted the social work team and police when the young person was going missing. They sent detailed missing reports and were heavily involved in safety planning. The trigger plan compiled by the service was informative, which was beneficial in safety planning.
The team availed themselves for high risk planning meetings. Whilst they were facing difficult challenges due to the presenting needs of the young person, the team was able to offer continued support and reassurance to the young person ensuring that she was involved in the decision making processes pertaining to her life.
I am confident in recommending this service. Their responsiveness to safeguarding matters, and the therapeutic support offered will be of great benefit to the young people in the community in their time of need. The service also benefits from a wide range of expertise, namely an operations Director with extensive knowledge and experience in Social work practice and support staff who have worked in youth support teams. Should you have any further enquiries I am able to avail myself for any enquiries about the service.
Testimonial from Senior Social Worker, Gloucestershire
I am writing this email as a statement of my experience working with Forest Youth Services.
Firstly, I am grateful for the level of communication I receive from you in respect of monthly reports, information to inform assessment and care planning and also updates on incidents that may occur. The reports are very detailed and descriptive rather than short and in bullet point form, which helps me to feel I understand the circumstances of which situations took place.
I also see evidence in these reports of the support being offered in different areas regarding independent living, education and the skills young people are encouraged to gain. From discussions had with Luke and Sam in particular, I feel you have a good understanding of the young people which then encourages further support in a variety of areas. I have found Luke to be analytical about young people’s experiences and behaviours and always exploring ‘why’.
Young people are able to receive therapy in this placement, which is a great opportunity especially for those who may have been waiting for services or are in need of help to understand their level of needs.