Weston House A registered specialist residential college .ac.uk/westonhouse

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/01 Welcome /02 Introduction /04 Facilities /06 Weston House /08 New Developments /12 Activities /14 Learning /16 Care, support and therapy /18 Registration and inspection /20 How to apply /01 Welcome from the Principal

Weston House, as part of Bridgend College, has a long and distinguished history of providing support for learners with additional learning needs and disabilities in order for them to learn, develop as young people and prepare for a positive future with greater opportunities. It is a unique setting in whereby we provide specialist residential education for young adults with additional needs within a general mainstream college. As a result our learners mix with disabled and non-disabled learners on an equal but moreover on a “normalised” basis.

We were thrilled to be shortlisted for the Times Education Supplement FE ‘Specialist Provider of the Year’. This is fantastic recognition of 40 years of outstanding provision for young people with additional needs and disabilities. “Since starting her internship at Princess of Wales Hospital, At Weston House our mission statement is “Be all that you Bridgend, linked with her time can be” as we feel this reflects our ethos and what we want staying at Weston House, Olivia for each and every one of our learners. As a committed team has grown into an independent of professionals we provide many varied and stimulating confident young woman. activities and experiences in order to teach, stretch and Weston House has given Olivia develop our learners and equip them with the skills, attitudes the skills needed to live her life and qualifications they need to help them achieve their to the best of her ability and as aspirations. They leave us as more confident citizens ready a mother, I am so enormously to take their place in society. proud of her and I know if it was not for the excellent staff at Weston House this would not have been possible.” Carmel, Olivia’s Mum Simon Pirotte Principal & CEO of Bridgend College

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315 02/03 Introduction

Weston House is a purpose built fully inclusive residential centre within the grounds of Bridgend College for young adults between 16 and 25 who have complex additional learning needs and disabilities.

We offer a residential education programme for all of our learners in conjunction with a full time academic course on offer at the College from Pre Entry to HE Level depending on individual ability and aspiration.

The majority of our residents are school leavers but some learners come to Weston House via other pathways.

We are able to support learners with a wide range of needs including: “Weston House has changed my life more than I would have ever > Learning Disabilities hoped it would. Before I came > Medical Conditions here I worried that it would be impersonal and uncaring, but I > Physical Disabilities don’t think it would be possible > Autistic Spectrum Conditions to find a place where the staff > Sensory and Communication Difficulties care more about the students and what makes them who > Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) they are. > Specific Learning Difficulties (SPLD) My time in Weston House has helped me grow in ways I couldn't have imagined and now I can see myself becoming the independent person I dreamed of being but never thought I would be. I now have more friends, more fun, more confidence, and I am closer to reaching my goals.” Emily, Weston House learner

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315 “Highly individualised and planned support for learning is available to all learners, enabling those with a diverse range of needs to access the curriculum effectively.” Estyn – the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales 04/05 Facilities

Sensory Learning Base Weston House has two purpose built state-of-the art sensory learning spaces which enhance opportunities for learners to develop cognitive and fine-motor skills. Our sensory learning spaces also enable learners to regulate either hyper or hypo sensitivities in a safe and responsive environment. Therapeutic approaches to learning and development, including aromatherapy, are used to provide a calm and suitably stimulating environment.

We also offer hydrotherapy and rebound therapy facilities for learners requiring these approaches as part of their holistic programme.

IT Suite “Weston House has an We have a fully accessible IT suite for learners to access, both effective team of staff who for structured learning sessions and during evening activity are dedicated to enhancing times. Facilities include a rise and fall multi-touch interactive the wellbeing of the people screen, rise and fall work stations and augmentative and living there. The young assistive software and technology. people using Weston House are enabled to have control We also have WiFi throughout Weston House to enable and make choices and encourage the use of assistive technology. whilst being supported to gain confidence.” Inspection Report, Care Inspectorate Wales

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315

06/07 Weston House

Each learner will have their own bedroom which can be on the ground or first floor and there is a lift for learners to use.

We have fully accessible bedrooms available with hoists, electric profiling beds and personal care facilities. We have WiFi fitted through the building to ensure that learners are able to make full use of assistive technology.

Staying at Weston House Our learners stay term time only for 38 weeks, Sunday to Friday and return home on weekends. By arriving on Sunday, we ensure that learners are ready for the College week on Monday morning. At the end of a very busy and action packed week, our learners go home to their families/guardians to spend their weekend. “We are so pleased that Michael’s at Weston House. Learners and their families tell us that they enjoy this He’s really happy and thriving – arrangement as they have a balance of home and College. and growing in confidence. This is important for when learners leave Weston House either Weston House gives him a to move into independent living, supported accommodation wonderful opportunity to learn or return to their family home. to live away from home and along with other young people. This provides excellent opportunities for learners to apply It’s a great stepping-stone, the skills they have acquired and developed within their own essential for Michael’s future community. This model also ensures that learners remain independence. He enjoys connected and part of their community. excellent 24 hour care and support. Friendly and well- trained staff take great care to understand Michael’s needs and what makes him happy – so it’s a real home from home for him and he settled in easily from the very first day.” Nick & Sue parents of Michael, Weston House learner

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315

08/09 New Developments

Independent Training Flats Two one-bedroom training flats provide excellent opportunities for learners to prepare for their transition to independent and supported living and adulthood. Our training flats offer a fully immersive real life experience for learners, emulating the expectations and reality of life beyond college. Learners have access to their own living, kitchen and bathroom space and are supported to acquire and develop key life skills including: > Personal budgeting and money management > Planning, shopping for and preparing balanced healthy meals > Using household utilities including washing, ironing and cleaning This provision pathway is based on a learner’s longer term outcomes and aspirations.

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315

“I attended a Special Needs School from age 12 until 19 and then applied to Bridgend College, Weston House immediately after leaving school. I studied in the Pre-vocational department before advancing onto mainstream. I achieved an overall Distinction for my Performing Arts Level 2 course. As a result of this I am currently doing my Level 3 in Performing Arts and hopefully will become a famous film and stage actor, hopefully in Hollywood, which would be my dream. Attending Weston House has enabled me to achieve the unthinkable.” Luke, Weston House learner 12/13 Activities

We have a varied evening activities programme which will be individualised to extend every learner’s independence, social development and help them make the transition into adulthood.

Activities Include: > Independent living skills – food preparation for self, food and kitchen hygiene, health and safety, home management tasks > Daily living skills – taking responsibility for personal hygiene, developing routines, laundry skills, choosing the right clothes and making simple snacks > Personal presentation – developing knowledge and skills “I was a residential student at in areas such as hair and beauty and shaving Weston House for four years, > Performing arts – improving their self-esteem, confidence leaving in July 2016. I loved building, speech and language development living there, the staff were > Yoga – this activity is particularly helpful for learners amazing, they were very who have difficulties with managing their anxiety friendly and helped me do all the things I found difficult. > Learner led activity nights – these help our learners I always felt at home. I had to plan their leisure appropriately and include a wide many friends at Weston House variety of options such as ten pin bowling, eating out at and we were very happy. I am local restaurants, community visits, cinema, and theatre now very independent. I work clubs etc. in a cafe and do Performing > Range of sporting activities to help maintain personal Arts in Bridgend and this is fitness levels, improve social skills and independence, all because of the wonderful promote team building and new and exciting experiences. Weston House.” Examples include weekly swimming session, wall climbing, Dan, former Weston House racquetball, zumba, surfing for all and horse riding learner > Weekly advocacy sessions

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315 “The college has established an exemplary ethos and culture, which is highly inclusive to all learners, particularly those with disabilities and additional learning needs.” Estyn – the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales 14/15 Learning

As well as completing Social Development, Independent Living Skills and Transition to Adulthood programmes through the evening, our learners will also follow a College course by day as part of their bespoke programme.

There is a wide range of courses on offer and these cover all levels from pre-entry courses to higher education. We will find a suitable and realistic personalised progression route for each learner to extend and develop their learning whatever their individual starting point may be. “I can't speak highly enough of Our learners consistently exceed their expected and predicted Weston House. Weston House levels of achievement and often their personal aspiration in has given Emily a safe place to both social skills and academic performance. grow. Emily needs to feel supported and listened to, to be There is a close dialogue and discussion on target setting able to progress. Emily needs a between the academic staff, the Weston House Managers 'safety net' and choices, Weston and the Care and Support Staff teams to ensure every learner House has provided her with has a fully integrated person centered programme. that. Emily has found herself a peer group that understands her. We love how Weston House has learners with so many different disabilities and abilities. The staff are all amazing, I know that she is being looked after, because excellent care is provided. Weston House has given Emily a life and a future, abilities that she can’t learn at home. Accessing the college mini bus has helped with her confidence. ” Emily’s Mother

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315 “The curriculum is highly responsive to the needs of learners in its community, in particular vulnerable learners.” Estyn – the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales 16/17 Care, support and therapy

Whilst we strive to promote learner independence at all times, we are able to provide care and support with a range of physical, learning and sensory needs. At Weston House we have a Registered Manager, two Duty Managers and a large care staff team.

Once they have settled in, all learners will be allocated a keyworker in the first half of the term and this will be a person centred approach to support their skills development.

We can provide support on a 1:1 or group basis as required. Many of our learners will need to continue their therapy and support programs whilst they stay with us, therefore we are able to provide the following: “Following on from our children’s > Physiotherapy including hydro and rebound therapy diagnosis nearly twenty years > Occupational Therapy ago we quickly accepted and came to terms with our > Speech Therapy circumstances and worked > Emotional and Behavioural Support tirelessly to give them every > Counselling opportunity. With Fragile X Syndrome all studies suggest > Social Communication Support extending and maintaining > Assistive Technology focused education was key and for that reason we chose Weston > Dyslexia Support House for both our sons. > Sight loss/Visual Impairment Support Since starting there we have > Deaf and Hearing Support including BSL Interpreters seen huge improvements in their behaviour, communication skills, comprehension and their key Transport life skills. It is clear that Weston The College provides a weekly minibus service but you can House is focusing on their needs make your own transport arrangements if you would prefer to enable them to deal with the to do so. future and potentially independent living.” Parents of Rhys and Joseph

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315

18/19 Registration and inspection

Weston House is a registered Care Home for Younger Adults regulated by the Care Inspectorate Wales. One of the aims of registration is to ensure certain standards are met and inspected on a regular basis.

Past Inspection Reports are available at careinspectorate.wales. Weston House is an associate member of NATSPEC; National Association of Registered Colleges.

In the recent inspection of Bridgend College by Estyn – the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales, our Care and Support for learners was judged as Excellent.

Bridgend College’s Full Estyn Inspection Report is available at excellent.college. “My name is Tomas. I am 22 years old and come from Neath, Port Talbot. I live in Weston House during the week and go home at the weekends. I started school at Heronsbridge after I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. I left at 19 and then started at Bridgend College where I gained a BTEC Level 1 Certificate in WorkSkills in the Pre-Vocational department. I then went on to complete the Level 2 & 3 and was awarded a Merit for my work!. Whilst doing this course I also studied a Level 3 Music Tech course in the evenings which I also passed. I am now studying a Foundation Degree course in Animation and will be going onto University of South Wales to finish my Degree.” Tomas, former Weston House learner

bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315 “Learners’ behaviour and attendance at College is exceptional, and their positive attitudes contribute significantly to the progress that they make.” Estyn – the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales 20/ How to apply

If you would like to apply for a place at Weston House, please contact our team on 01656 302315 or please email on [email protected]

Weston House Bridgend College Cowbridge Road Bridgend CF31 3DF

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Watch a video of our learners talking about their experience of living in Weston House bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse

Disclaimer Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this guide is correct of time of publication, changes in circumstances after publication may impact on the accuracy of this information. Please contact Weston House for the most up to date information. bridgend.ac.uk/westonhouse | 01656 302315