Meadows Psychology Service

27/10/2025

We’re excited to be attending The National Supported Accommodation Conference 2025!

Join Meadows Psychology Service on 6th November at The Vox, Birmingham, where we’ll be exhibiting throughout the day.
Come and visit our stand to chat with us about our work, our trauma-informed approach, and how we’re supporting children and young people through high-quality therapeutic services.
We look forward to connecting with colleagues and sharing ideas on how to improve outcomes for young people in supported accommodation.

14/10/2025

Meadows Psychology Service are thrilled to be attending the Transforming the Commissioning of Therapeutic Support for Children in Care Conference this Wednesday, 15th October at The Birmingham Conference and Events Centre.

Come and visit our stand to chat with us about our work, partnerships, and how we’re contributing to the development of trauma-informed, therapeutic care.

We’re also excited to be delivering a workshop:
“Developing a Specific Therapeutic Specification on a Framework Contract: Our Learning.”

In this session, our Managing Director, Dr Nicola Shanahan, alongside colleagues from Placements North West, will share insights on:
• How the evolving needs of children across the region shaped the specification
• The role of meaningful market engagement in refining the approach
• Lessons learned from balancing quality, flexibility, and therapeutic outcomes in commissioning practice

We’re looking forward to contributing to the day’s discussions on transforming therapeutic commissioning for children in care and to connecting with colleagues across the sector. Come and visit our stand to find out more!

11/09/2025

At MPS, our work goes far beyond therapy sessions. We walk alongside whole teams, providing consultation to help think through complex situations and care planning, reflective spaces where staff can pause and process the emotional impact of their work, and tailored strategies that weave trauma-informed approaches into everyday routines and interactions. In doing so, we make sure carers and staff feel supported, confident, and equipped to offer the very best care to children and young people.

That’s why feedback like this means so much to us!

Read the full testimonial below:

"Our service has improved our OFSTED rating from “Requires Improvement” rating to “Outstanding” due to implicating Meadows Psychology Service. Meadows supports the team to support the young people in our care and provides a model of care, which has been our most significant change over the last 2 years.

The change in approach takes some time to embed into our practice but really is worth the time and effort when working with children with deep routed trauma. We have monthly consultations where we discuss our young people and how we approach the issues they may be having during the month. Weekly check ins provide clarity to the support we give the young people, and we can reach out whenever we need to clarify decisions or require some clinical opinion on issues.

MPS have supported us with referrals and ensuring new young people are suitably placed within our home and support us to highlight any risks within our suitability assessment.

MPS are not just about our young people, but if any of the staff or management need support, they are there to support with this too. This is something that OFSTED were impressed with.

This is just a snippet of the reasons why we love working with MPS. I cannot recommend the service higher. I feel that the service they provide will be an OFSTED requirement in the future, so you may as well implement it now and be ahead of the other services and provide an OUTSTANDING service." - Ben, Registered Manager 👏

11/09/2025

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences, and why do they matter?

In our latest blog we look at how early adverse experiences can shape a child’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive wellbeing - and how trauma-informed care can make all the difference.

If you want to develop trauma‐informed practice, or just deepen your understanding, this one is for you.

🔗 Read now: https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/understanding-adverse-experiences/

04/09/2025

🌿 Development Residential 2025 🌿

In July, colleagues from across the country in our therapy services came together for a two-day residential. The event gave us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with one another outside of the usual pressures of daily practice.

The feedback was clear and consistent with people rating the residential as excellent and that the experience had strengthened team culture and created a stronger sense of connection across the services. With colleagues travelling from different regions, the chance to spend time together was described as invaluable. As one person put it: “Being together really helped solidify some of the values we all share.” Another reflected: “It was great to touch base with everyone, there was a real sense of being part of something bigger.”

The residential reminded us that professional development is not just about new knowledge or skills - it is about nurturing relationships, strengthening identity, and holding on to the values that guide our work. By investing in our teams, we build the foundations for stronger, safer, and more healing relationships with the children, young people, carers and families at the heart of everything we do 💡💙

04/09/2025

The 5Ps framework provides a structured, evidence-informed approach to psychological formulation. 💡

By considering Presenting, Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating and Protective factors, professionals can develop a shared, trauma-informed understanding that guides intervention across systems.

Learn more in our latest blog:

https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/5-ps-psychological-formulation/

21/08/2025

✨ Trust. Safety. Connection. ✨

At Meadows Psychology Service, we recognise that experiences of relational trauma can shape how children view themselves and others.

Trauma-informed practice tells us that healing happens in safe, consistent relationships, where children can experience relational repair and begin to rebuild trust.

Our latest blog explores how Therapeutic Parenting and the PACE approach (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) provide carers with a framework to nurture safety, strengthen connection, and support emotional growth.

Whether you’re a parent, foster carer, adoptive parent, or professional, these principles can transform everyday interactions into opportunities for trust and attunement. 💙

👉 Read the full post here: https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/the-pace-approach/

30/06/2025

We had a fabulous time at The Children's Services Comissioners Conference last week!

Thankyou to those who visited us and to those of you who contributed your thoughts and ideas to our vision boards! 🎨

What does success look and feel like in your service? 💭

23/06/2025

We’re pleased to be attending the Children’s Services Commissioners’ Conference 2025 on 26th & 27th June.

With this year’s theme – “Improving Outcomes Through Collaboration & Innovation” – we’re proud to share how Meadows Psychology Service supports care-experienced children, young people, and care leavers through trauma-informed psychological support across residential care, supported accommodation, education, fostering, and adoption services.

Visit us at Stand 44 to learn how we embed flexible, trauma-informed support within care systems, monitor outcomes in meaningful ways, and work systemically to strengthen the networks around children and young people, ensuring those who care for them feel supported too.

And don’t forget to enter our spa voucher giveaway!

03/06/2025

🧠 New on the Blog! 🌱⁠
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What does it really mean to be trauma-informed in clinical supervision?

At Meadows Psychology Service, we believe that supervision should be a space of safety, reflection, and growth.
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In our latest blog post, we explore:

✨ The core principles of trauma-informed care.

💬 The role of clinical supervision in trauma informed practice.

🛠️ Practical strategies for building trust and psychological safety⁠ in clinical supervision.

💙 The benefits of trauma informed clinical supervision for both the professionals involved and those that they support and work alongside.
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Whether you're a supervisor, supervisee, or simply curious about deepening your clinical practice, this one’s for you!
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🔗 Click the link to read: https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/clinical-supervision-in-trauma-informed-care/

22/05/2025

12/05/2025

Foster Care Fortnight 2025: “The Power of Relationships” ⭐

From May 12–25, we’re celebrating the incredible foster carers who open their hearts and homes to children in need. 🏡💙

This year’s theme, "The Power of Relationships", reminds us that connection is key to healing and growth, not just for foster children, but for the entire community. 🗝️

At Meadows Psychology Service, we’re proud to support foster families with the tools they need to build strong, nurturing relationships that help children thrive. 💙

Join us in honouring the work of foster carers and advocating for the children they support.

Read our latest blog post here: https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/foster-care-fortnight-2025/

The Fostering Network