Our East of England hub is located in Peterborough, and is the largest of our locations employing over 75 people in the region. Many of the young people and children we work with are referred to us by a health and social care assessment.
Our East of England hub is located in Peterborough, and is the largest of our locations employing over 75 people in the region. Many of the young people and children we work with are referred to us by a health and social care assessment. The services are funded by Peterborough City Council, which means people we provide the community care to have a requirement to be based within the city boundaries. With that said, children and adults from the surrounding areas can access Circle Networks services on a spot purchased basis, either as individuals or via those responsible for their care.
We’ve had lots of success working with children who are transitioning into adulthood within the 14-25 year olds age range. However, we’re not restrictive and there is no upper age limit to the support we offer.
With a wider variety of services available on site we have a range of areas. Each week our sensory room is themed and our activities are set to match.
Services operate Monday to Saturday from 9am-9pm. Although we are able to provide occasional overnight support, for those with larger care needs. Most of the support we deliver is focused on supporting children from 7-18 years old. Both on a 1-1 or 2-1 basis.
All of our staff are trained in de-escalation via the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® model, which is a person-centred, proactive and therapeutic approach.
It’s specially designed to ensure our carers are equipped to compassionately support children and adults with complex needs, challenging behaviour or mental health needs.
As a personal care provider we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission – CQC. Caroline, who’s details you can find at the bottom of this page is our Registered Manager.
At the hub, we offer FIVE keys areas of support, which enables our teams to provide the highest levels of care to those we provide community support to, whilst collaborating with their circles of support.
Our person-centred support, means we work hard to match facilitators based on age, gender preferences, personality and skills.
The support we provide is delivered on days and times of the person we’re working with’s choosing, and with things they specifically ask for help with. For example, this could include help looking for jobs, accessing leisure activities, staying healthy, studying and more.
It may also mean we help them develop skills such as maintaining friendships and relationships. And along the way, we promote their rights and advocate for them if and when it’s necessary – to ensure their voice gets heard!
3D support is usually offered as an on-going part of their journey, it supports the everyday ups and down that life can take us all on.
By it’s very nature, 4D support is more intensive, direct support for a person going through a significant transition. This can include: moving out, becoming independent, settling back in to home life after a long stay in hospital, or going through a major mental health crisis.
Our facilitators who deliver 4D care are more highly trained in areas that are most likely to impact the person, whilst they navigate challenging circumstances such as self harm, drug and alcohol, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, exploitation and others.
When 4D community support is being provided it can be a time limited piece of work, requiring intensive care especially when there’s a big problem or more sensitive support need. Over time 4D support is usually transitioned into 3D community support.
Running since 2016, our youth groups cater to children and young people across the ages of 7-19 years old. They’re commissioned by Peterborough City Council and run as either small or large groups.
In order to access the youth groups, a social worker typically assess the child’s needs, panel recommendations and outcomes are set for child, which determines which groups they’re referred into.
Outcomes may include: making friends, developing communication skills, building confidence, social interaction, creativity, mindfulness and more.
Activities include days in the hub, days out and we always take on board ideas from the group and do things that they want to do.
Our small groups
Are for children and young people who have much higher medical needs. Children are grouped by interests, not age, and care is provided on a 1:1 ratio.
The groups run on Tuesdays during term time, supporting those aged 7 to 19 between
4-7pm, and
Saturdays during term time and holidays between
9:30am -12:30pm
and
1-4pm
Our large groups
Often self referrals from young people with a diagnosis living in Peterborough, we provide inclusive environments that support their independence into adulthood, usually for those aged 11 to 19.
The groups include:
Circle Stars: Dance & Drama workshop
Saturdays during term time and holidays between 10am-12pm
Fun United Youth Club
Wednesdays during term time and holidays between
7-9pm
Our work is focused on creating safety, enhancing communication – and making progress towards set goals which aim to improve physical and emotional health.
It supports the entire family unit, through:
• High levels of family support
• Highly skilled collaborative facilitators
• Holistic family well-being
Family Matters empowers family members to work towards preventative care, which avoids family breakdown, children being taken into care or other life changing scenarios playing out without their control.
This service is contract by Peterborough City Council, and is available for spot purchase across Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
The Key Worker Collaborative service has been available since 2020. The project prioritises children and young people who are living with a learning disability, autism and who have other complex behaviour or mental health needs that could increase their risk of hospitalisation.
During this time Circles Network have prevented 48 hospital admissions.
The collaborative offers support to families:
• During inpatient admission
• Avoiding longer than necessary stays
• Reducing the risk of re-admission, and
• Accelerating their return to the community
Key Workers make sure that children, young people and families are advocated for, by getting the right support, feeling involved, informed and listened to throughout, what can be, difficult periods of uncertainty.
Our person-centred approach focuses on preventing the risks of becoming lost in the system, as well as providing the all important resources and support to bring them safely home.
The work we do is delivered as a joint venture between the Circles Network, Edmunds Trust Cambridge and Peterborough Council’s ICB – Intensive Care Board.
The following dropdown contains links to East of England Community resources.
This may include print, audio and video content that can be viewed or downloaded in a new window.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
9am – 5pm
Access our Community services, reach out to Caroline today.
caroline.hunte@circlesnetwork.org.uk
