Prior's Court Young Adult Provision - The Cottages

Thatcham

Main information

Type of service: Further & Higher Education, Residential services, Supported living schemes

Prior's Court Young Adult Provision (YAP), provides 52-week CQC-registered care provision with on-site accredited learning for autistic young adults with learning difficulties and complex needs aged 19-25 years. Its aim is to develop independent living skills; communication; social skills; and vocational opportunities to as a transitional step towards a more independent life.

The Young Adult Provision is split into The Cottages (three homes based on the main Prior's Court site, alongside our School function) and Charlotte House, a home based in the nearby village of Hermitage. Adults within both settings have the same level of access to facilities at the main Prior's Court site. Each young adult will have a diagnosis of autism and have moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs. Some may have additional complex needs and may exhibit challenging behaviour diagnoses including ADHD, epilepsy, mental health and other medical needs, and may display challenging behaviours.

Through the Prior’s Court bespoke Prior Approach methodology, each young adult develops a person-centred plan which reflects their needs, skills and interests. Each individual is supported to develop skills in a wide range of areas of the Prior's Court Learning Framework, including daily living skills, vocational learning, communication, staying safe, and positive behaviour support. Emphasis is based on developing each individual's ability to participate within the local community.

The main ambitions within the provision are:
• To develop the range of skills required to enable the young adults to be included as members of the community, able to use local facilities, and participate successfully in leisure and work activities.
• To provide a safe and nurturing environment which ensures the young adults to be safe and healthy and enables them to participate in a living experience which protects their dignity, rights and freedom and safeguards their vulnerability.
• To maximise the learning potential and life skills of all young adults.
• To provide excellent residential care and vocational learning (skills for adult life) for young adults with autism and complex needs.

The facilities of The Cottages and Charlotte House have been carefully designed to reflect the needs of young adults with autism, with a strong emphasis on creating a calm, tranquil, structured, environment able to support individuals to develop their skills in real life settings.