Statement of Purpose
Whitworth Crescent is a large 5
bedroom detached house in a quiet residential area within
Bittern situated close to Hope Lodge School. Whitworth
provides a Termly Boarding provision that includes weekends
and the half term holiday periods for up to 5 children
with a statement of ASD with associated complex needs
and challenging behaviours. The focus of Whitworth is
to provide as "Homely" an environment
as is possible for the children whilst continuing to build on the extended curriculum
and care plans that cross both education and care. Whitworth provides single
bedrooms for all service users. Whitworth is supported by the unit manager, two
team leaders and support staff.
Life Long learning
On site activities are tailored to the individual's specific
program. Each individual will have their interests respected and encouraged where
appropriate as part of their ongoing care plan.
The ethos of Whitworth is to support and encourage each individual reach their full potential by developing their independents as part of the waking day curriculum.
Access to the wider community forms part of the continued development of the
individual's development, supporting new and challenging experiences, maintaining
consistency and building on achievement made.
Whitworth to date
Whitworth has now been open as a 5 bedded Termly boarding
unit since May 2004.
The property has undergone a positive transformation in order to provide a unique and specialist resource for the children; whilst ensuring that the focus remains on promoting the characters of a homely environment; this being echoed from parents, families and professionals alike.
All staff and students enjoy spending time inside relaxing and playing and outside in the fabulous garden whist promoting learning in a secure and caring environment.
The location of Whitworth promotes immediate access to the local community and transport links promote wider access.
The provision has provided the students with an environment that promotes a structured and person centered environment whilst enabling the students to learn and develop whilst maintaining and building on those successes for the future.
Routines
School day Mornings: - Staff support all the students to
get ready for their day. Students have a choice of bath or shower each morning
and where needed staff support with specific intimate care needs.
Breakfast is available to the students from 8:00 am. The timing is flexible so as to support all students during the mornings. All staff eat along side all students.
Students are supported to brush teeth and get ready for the Minibus when given a clear time related warning.
Students arrive at school between 9 - 9:15am where staff handover any relevant
information to school staff.
Upon return to Whitworth all staff are allocated duties so as to provide a clean and tidy working environment ready for the students return.
The late shift; upon receiving the handover, will get ready any required resources and schedule symbols for the students return from school.
Staff collects the students from school at 3:45pm and receive any relevant information from the school staff.
On return to Whitworth each student is supported to change into leisure clothes
where appropriate and are allowed time to adjust. Each student will be support
to check their schedule or to follow direction using symbols or photos of the
evening's activities or tasks.
Evening meal is available to the students at 5:15pm; where appropriate students will assist in its preparation. All staff eats along side all students.
At the appropriate times each student is supported to get ready for a bath or
shower and are then supported as part of their routine to settle for bed. This
occurs between 7:45 - 8:30pm
Where appropriate staff will carry out cleaning and tiding duties to ready the building for the morning.
Weekend and Half Term Routines
Within Whitworth students will reside over each term time
weekend and half term break.
Saturdays and Sundays and holiday periods operate on a relaxed yet structured system. Each student is allowed to have a lie in where appropriate and is supported in the same way as they would be during the school week.
Activities are familiar though with more time, more community based activities can be achieved.
Routines are identical to the weekly routines so as to provide a consistent and stable environment and to reduce anxiety levels.
Regular visits from the student's family are strongly encouraged and the weekend
and holiday periods allow for a more relaxed opportunity for positive visits
either to Whitworth or for the students to spend time at home. |
