Environment
Burton Cottages is a two storey purpose built
dwelling situated in Robertsbridge in the heart of rural East Sussex
and within easy walking distance of local shops. The home is split into
two cottages with six service users allocated to each cottage. We are a
short distance from Battle and Hastings and well placed to enable
service users to take advantage of the splendour of 1066 country and
the variety of local beaches, towns and villages of rural East Sussex.
Autism Sussex believes in providing a person-centred, comfortable,
spacious living environment for adults with autism and this is well
reflected in the location and environment of Burton Cottages.
The
environment at Burton Cottages is tailored to the needs of the
individuals who live there and is autism specific. Our overall approach
is structured around autism specific communication systems
incorporating TEACCH boards and TEACCH timetables specific to each
service user. We are fully supported by the trusts TEACCH Co-ordinator.
The home is registered under the Commission for Social Care Inspection who carry out two annual inspections every year.
All
our residents are encouraged to actively participate in the trusts
resource centre at Battle or the Roebuck Centre in Hastings. A person
centred approach is paramount to provide an individualised programme of
activity and variety of choice, such as, horse riding, swimming,
computer skills, catering, cycling, living skills, drama and creative
arts is available. This is supported by the same communication systems
mentioned earlier to enable consistency.
Similar activities are
carried out at home and everyone is encouraged to carry out independent
living skills, these are incorporated in to their daily schedules.
Additional activities include aromatherapy and massage, personal music
sessions, visits by other caring professionals such as chiropodists.
Weekend activities include trips to the local beaches, parks, places of
historical interest, pub lunches and identified interests. All the
residents living at Burton Cottages have active involvement and input
in the day to day running, choices and plans for the future where
possible, alongside regular input from their families and parents who
visit or contact regularly.
Staff
The general structural
Health, Safety and Maintenance aspects of Burton Cottages are managed
by New Downland Housing Association. This is supported by an in-house
Health, Safety and Maintenance person allocated from the existing staff
team.
Service Users
There are eleven service users who live
at Burton Cottages all of whom are on the autistic spectrum. Cottage
one consists of five men and one woman. Cottage Two consists of one
woman and four men. The age range is from 18-44 years old.
All
service users have their own personalised bedroom and communal areas
and are encouraged to actively participate in developing life skills.
People with autism need a very structured life style so each person has
their own timetable of daily activities so they know what is happening
next and are supported with TEACCH where possible.
All service
users have a member of staff who focuses on an individual’s needs and
case work; these staff are called ‘Key Workers' and are available to
attend meetings, reviews, appointments as well as caring for the day to
day needs of individuals.
All service users also have annual
reviews where goals are set for the following year. This is to ensure
that we continue to aim to provide the best service possible and that
constant assessment takes place allowing people to develop as
individuals and enabling the best use of resources.
For more information, please
contact us
