To enable children and young people to recover from severe relational trauma, to enjoy life and to achieve their potential; we do this through the provision of therapeutic residential care, treatment and education, together with family and network support.

Childhood First is a charity that provides specialist therapeutic care, education and treatment to children suffering severe emotional and behavioural disturbance as the result of early life trauma. We also provide support to their networks of adult carers. From pioneering beginnings in 1970, with the formation of our first therapeutic community for young people, and subsequently at Peper Harow and Thornby Hall, we have continued to refine our treatment method and to offer it more widely, with the development of further residential facilities using the same method, with variations to suit age group and size of facility and a Placement and Family Support service which works with networks supporting children in families, foster placements and residential placements.

Integrated Systemic Therapy
Residential care
Education
Assessment & consulting
Professional development & training