Lillie’s Lodge was an inspiration after the experience of losing my own child. It has been set up with the hope that it can help change the life chances of a group who may often struggle to progress both as individuals and as parents too.
A key aim of Lillie’s Lodge is to offer families the opportunity to start on the journey to independent living in an environment where they will be offered the guidance and support to help them develop the skills and resilience needed to be successful.
Our aim at Lillie’s Lodge is to provide a safe, supportive environment where families can grow in confidence, build essential life skills, and move towards independent living.
We begin by assessing each family’s strengths and needs, then develop a personalised support plan tailored to them. Through this, we help parents improve their self-sufficiency, parenting skills, and overall wellbeing.
Support includes guidance in home and financial management, healthy routines, active learning, and community involvement. We work closely with professionals involved in the family’s care and provide ongoing reviews to adapt support as needed.
We also assist families in making informed decisions about their long-term housing options, helping them prepare for the future with confidence.
Overall direction is provided by a steering group which is made up of the two directors of the company and three co-opted members.
Day to day operations and management is over-seen by a manager, who is assisted by a family support worker.
Lillie’s Lodge staff will develop positive working relationships with a range of external agencies.
Our approach to undertaking assessments is influenced by a number of legislative, professional and organisational principles and values:
• The right of every child to be brought up in a family that can meet her/his basic needs and provide the child with secure attachments, stability and a sense of belonging and permanency.
• Every individual’s right to a private family life as enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Every child’s right to be protected from harm, also enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998.
• The principle, underlying the Children Act 1989 (Children Act 2004 and Working Together 2018) that children should be brought up within their families of origin wherever possible.
• The importance of effective assessment of families and their dependent/s needs and how they might best be met.
• The importance of recognising the positive aspects of families’ circumstances, particularly young parents’ strengths and proven abilities; and seeking to build upon those strengths in undertaking assessments.
Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. (EYFS 2017)
Health
Education
Emotional & Behavioural
Development
Identity
Family & Social Relationships
Social Presentation
Selfcare Skills
Basic Care
Ensuring Safety
Emotional WarmthStimulation
Guidance & Boundaries
Stability
Family History & Functioning
Wider Family
Housing
Employment
Income
Family’s Social Integration
Community Resources
We aim to offer each family a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which they can grow. We work alongside each family with the help from a range of professionals to provide an individualised support package in line with their needs, abilities and background.
“Lillie’s Lodge was such a lovely first home for both my son and I. It was always clean, welcoming and the staff were so friendly, they made me feel so comfortable from the very start. I’ve made some really good friends during my time there, which i’ll always be grateful for. A special thank you to Dionne who was amazing and really helped me navigate into motherhood when my son was in the NICU and gave me all the support and encouragement when I needed it most. I’ll always look back on my time at Lillie’s Lodge with gratitude.”
“I have found the support at Lillies Lodge for the young parents I have supported to move there, exceptional. The communication from staff is rapid and responsive and the multiagency team work in a child protection situation was professional, and your team adapted their support cover to ensure that a risk assessment to keep baby safe was implemented.
The welcome young parents receive is warm and supportive and helps them to feel settled and secure very quickly- the support provides independence and parenting skills that support the parent to eventually move on, to live and care for their child in their own accommodation.
The matching of new residence is good and is mindful of current house mates and ensures safety for current residence and children. I would recommend Lillie Lodge to any parents who need a supportive living environment to achieve accommodation and good care for their child.”
“Lillie’s Lodge took good care of me, I highly recommend them. It was easy to communicate with Dionne, if I ever had any concerns, Dionne would be there for me. It’s a safe and supportive environment with lots of enjoyable activities for a new parent.”
“My experience at Lillie’s Lodge was nothing but positive. I didn’t spend a very long time there but was supported the whole way through and everyone was happy for me when I did then move on. It’s like a little family at the lodge and Dionne goes above and beyond for us all!”
“Thank you to everyone at Lillie’s Lodge! It’s a very special place that’s not easy to find. I’m very lucky to have lived here. Whilst being at Lillie’s Lodge I have felt nothing but support when raising my daughter now moving on to my own home. I am going to miss the lodge and the bonds I have created with the other girls.
Thank you to Dionne for giving me and my daughter a safe place to live when we needed help and for being kind enough to create a home like this that will help a lot of families in need!”
“I would recommend Lillie’s Lodge to mum’s that need that extra support, plus somewhere nice to live. I appreciate everything you did for me and my daughter.”
