A Home Where Healing Happens
- From the moment a young person walks through our door, they are met with warmth, predictability, and unconditional positive regard.
- The structure of daily life — from morning routines to mealtime conversations — is purposefully designed to build trust, self-worth, and emotional security.
- We believe every interaction is an intervention — and that healing doesn’t only happen in therapy sessions, but in the laughter, connection, and moments of co-regulation throughout the day.
Our Mission
At Oak House, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed home where young people can begin to heal, build trust, and develop a strong sense of self. We are committed to delivering consistent, relationship-based care rooted in therapeutic understanding – empowering each young person to grow emotionally, socially, and psychologically.
Our Vision
Our vision is to redefine what it means to care for children who have experienced trauma. We aim to be a national example of how integrated therapeutic care, compassion, and skilled intervention can transform lives – creating lasting change, not just short-term stability. We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued, and hopeful about their future.
Background
Oak House was established with the belief that therapeutic care should be more than a label – it should be lived in every interaction, every day. Drawing on proven trauma-informed models like ARC and PACE, we have created a home where healing is part of the environment, not just a scheduled session. With an in-house therapist, dedicated therapeutic spaces, and a team trained in emotional attunement and regulation, Oak House provides more than care – it offers connection, purpose, and recovery.
Our Senior Team
Yasmin Salim
Yasmin is a dedicated and compassionate psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience working with children, young people, and families. Her work spans across the NHS, education, and third sector, where she has supported some of the most vulnerable individuals through trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches.
As a Director and Head of Therapeutic Services, Yasmin brings extensive leadership and clinical insight to service development and delivery. Yasmin is a qualified counsellor, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), and EMDR practitioner, and holds esteemed accreditations from the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). She is also a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). Through her compassionate approach and clinical expertise, Yasmin has helped transform countless lives and remains deeply committed to empowering children to heal, grow, and thrive.
Alicia Clarkson
Alicia has worked in the childcare industry for 15 years and has in depth knowledge of Residential Children’s Homes, having gained over 8 years experience in this sector. Alicia has previously been a Registered Manager, Quality Assurance inspector as well as Service Manager, where she has achieved her Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Her passion is making a difference and long lasting impact on children’s lives, watching them grow, learn and progress in all areas, whilst providing a safe and enabling environment that they can call home.
Darren Laville
Darren brings almost two decades of experience working with children and young people across residential care, youth justice, and community services. His work focuses on safeguarding children who have experienced trauma, exploitation, and complex life experiences, with an emphasis on relational practice and creating psychologically safe environments.
Darren holds a Master’s Degree in Youth Work Leadership and Management (JNC) and a postgraduate qualification in Youth and Community Development. He works closely with multi-agency partners, including social care, education, health services, and police to ensure children receive coordinated and compassionate support.
He has contributed to national discussions on youth violence through his involvement with the National Working Group and the Home Office Serious Violence Strategy Review. Darren is committed to developing reflective staff teams and creating homes where children feel safe, valued, and supported to thrive.
Ryan Forsythe
Ryan is a dedicated residential childcare professional who is passionate about helping young people feel safe, understood, and supported to reach their potential. With experience as a Deputy Manager and Team Leader, he brings a calm, consistent, and restorative approach, with a strong focus on safeguarding, positive relationships, and staff development.
Ryan’s background in the British Army as a Gunner Command Operator strengthened his discipline, teamwork, and ability to stay steady under pressure, skills that translate well into therapeutic residential care. Ryan is currently working towards his Level 5 in Leadership and Management and is the Equality and Diversity Champion for Acacia Therapy Homes.