Drift House specialises in providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children and young people with a diagnosis of Autism and/or learning difficulties. The home will provide a caring environment free from discrimination.
Children and young people will be supported to build resilience and enjoy positive experiences, whilst promoting their independence to develop the life skills required for preparation for adulthood. The support will be specific for the individual needs of our children and young people.
The home uses the services of a contracted Clinical Psychologist who has extensive experience of working with children and young people around behavioural difficulties and risk-taking behaviour. The clinical psychologist can also be consulted in the development of Positive Behaviour Support Plans and Risk Enabling Assessments where necessary.
Where appropriate, clinicians may visit the home on a regular basis to work with young people and to provide consultative services with the staff team. The clinicians will discuss with staff any issues that are of concern but, more importantly, will work with children, young people and staff to develop strategies to help them understand their behaviour and work towards reducing incidents of aggression or potential risk to themselves and others. Clinicians will also work closely with parents/carers, foster carers and social workers to develop strategies for successful re-unification planning.
Drift House has recently been refurbished to a high standard. It has natural boundaries of trees and shrubs with additional fencing in place until planting is established. Drift House is set in ten acres of grounds for children and young people to play and enjoy. The garden is designed to include grassed areas with trees and plants as well as areas to be developed with the children and young people once they move in. There is ample space to develop areas specific to each young person as well as communal space.
In addition, there is a field which is part of the property which can developed to benefit the young people living at Drift House.
Achieve reunification to the family or long-term foster placement as safely and quickly as possible where this is felt to be the most appropriate outcome.
Provide opportunities for each young person to learn, grow and make informed choices about their future, whilst offering an environment in which they can take time to repair and move forward from bad experiences in their life.
Provide a physically and emotionally supportive residential environment within established boundaries.
Respect and dignity for every individual regardless of their race, gender, cultural background or ability.
An ethos and atmosphere that is conducive to personal growth, whilst taking all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of harm to self or others.
A caring, nurturing and stimulating environment that enables children and young people to reach their potential, building on strengths and celebrating individual achievement.
A safe environment, free from abuse in its many forms, including bullying and any behaviour that is disrespectful of the individual or groups of individuals or their family or community.
Individual Education packages for each young person, which will both aid the reparative process and will offer them the chance to maximise their future life choices.
A framework of support in which the child or young person can be brought to confront the meaning and significance of their behaviour, thereby opening up the possibility of change.
A working partnership with each child or young person in co-operation with other agencies, to provide a continuity and consistency of care that will benefit the child or young person.
The home transports young people to and from its own independent school, Brenkley School (please refer to the website for extensive details about the school).
