About Us

Alderwood LLA was founded in the year 2000 to cater for the needs of children and young adults who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and challenging behaviour. Its guiding principle is to provide care and education as an integrated support system within a framework of small 'family' type homes.

Alderwood is now recognised nationally as the foremost specialist provision for those with complex Autism. The whole service provided has been reflected in the excellent CQC (Care Quality Commission) and OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) reports.

Alderwood provides round the clock residential care and education for seventeen children/young adults in three separate residential homes. These are supported by the Alderwood Professional Development Centre, which provides continual staff training, staff development and behaviour support surgeries.

Residential Services

Alderwood offers residential care and education for individuals with complex Autism Spectrum Disorders including learning disabilities and challenging behaviours. All placements are 24/7/52.

We provide specifically designed services for each individual through an integrated programme of care and education.

Alderwood homes are all designed and decorated according to a low arousal approach. Our homes/school create a homely environment whilst providing structure to support residents with Autism. They are especially appropriate for those who have extreme sensory abnormalities and for those who find proximity to others very difficult.

We support individual learning needs through relevant and broad ranging activities to encourage personal development: social, academic, physical, creative, leisure and domestic skills. Alderwood employs a consistent approach which incorporates TEACCH and PROACT-SCIPr-UK^®. We cater for children and young adults where a school or large residential care setting has proved inappropriate.

Alderwood maintains specifically planned links with the local community through a wide range of relevant activities identified in the individual targets of residents. We offer high levels of staffing at all times in order to support the specific needs of each resident.

Staff undertake an extensive training package which enables them to provide consistent support to all residents. Alderwood aims to respect the rights and dignity of all residents and maintain a positive outlook to the potential of each child or young adult.

Behaviour Support Surgeries

Alderwood provides regular behaviour support surgeries, available to staff at all levels. These have been uniquely developed in order to create, monitor and update strategies for managing behaviours and expanding the potential of our residents. This will often instigate the implementation of additional specially designed resources.

Agreed strategies are devised following the TEACCH and PROACT-SCIPr-UK^® principles. The behaviour support surgeries ensure that theory and practice always relates specifically to the individual.

Activities & Spending

Alderwood offers an extensive range of recreational activities within the homes and in the community. All activities are fully risk assessed and planned and tailored to meet individual needs. These activities offer structure, education and importantly, enjoyment for each young person.

Spending money for these activities are covered within each fee and includes pocket money for each individual. Alderwood advises and encourages residents to manage finances where possible, including using pocket money to purchase family presents, entertainment and special treats. Families can provide additional monies/presents if they wish with the advice and support of Alderwood staff.

Holiday Facilities

Alderwood provides the opportunity for residents to holiday in our own specialised static caravans situated near Skegness in Lincolnshire, Burnham-on-sea in North Devonshire and locally in Northamptonshire. These trips are organised on a shared or individual basis as appropriate and are supported by good staffing levels. Each caravan can accommodate up to two clients supervised by residential care staff. Holiday/outings maintain the same structured approach as the daily routine of the Alderwood residential homes/school with a wide range of recreational and educational activities being organised to suit individual needs.

Two of the caravans are situated within walking distance of the beach. All sites offer a range of local attractions, including fishing, walking, cycling and holiday parks where appropriate.

Some of the caravans are also used for enhanced parental visits offering valuable personal time for families to enjoy activities with their child whilst having the reassurance of structure and staffing to assist.