Our Services
At Doucecroft, our school for 3 to 19 year olds, we provide a specialised service for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. We tailor programmes to meet the unique and complex needs of each individual child and promote individual growth through education, independence, social skills and self-esteem. The school caters for a maximum of 64 children, comprising of both day pupils and weekly boarders. Boarding capacity is currently limited to 34 pupils but this will increase to 48 once two further boarding houses have been built.
The FE Dept is based in Kelvedon and caters for up to 14 students aged 16 to 19 years old. The department focuses on developing each student's potential by providing an individual tailored, and student centred curriculum. Practical activities are aimed at promoting the student's independent living skills and preparing him or her for adult life. Students are supported and encouraged in decision making, developing their personal portfolios and their learning challenges. Students are also given opportunities to use the facilities offered by the community such as sports centres and youth clubs. They are also offered work experience with local employers.
Our five Adult Residential houses in Colchester and three houses in Norfolk provide a range of services for adults with autism and related conditions. They offer service users care and support in an environment which meets the needs of the individual and includes a level of supervision necessary to ensure the opportunity for personal development and safety. The units provide accommodation for 52 persons in total and operate 52 weeks of the year. A wide range of activities are offered both on site including Horse Riding, Trampolining, Cycling, Horticulture, and accessing the local community.
The Jigsaw Study Centre in provides structured activities for adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. A number of users live within our residential houses but external service users also benefit from this resource. The centre has its own woodwork workshop, a computer room, art room, textiles room and a small gym. The art and craft work produced by the users is regularly exhibited and sold to members of the public. Service users also visit an outdoor youth camp where they participate in assault courses, archery, wall climbing and paintball.
Our Community Support service is continuing to expand by opening Independent Living Units around the Colchester area.
Founder member of the Autism Alliance UK