Building a sense of belonging …

Location: Camphill Schools - Aberdeen Murtle Estate – Bieldside

Aim The Aim of St. Andrew’s Project is to meet the complex needs of children and young people when extra help and support are required. A group of highly qualified staff provide day/residential childcare and school/ home support services.

Facilities  Playground  —Swimming Pool  —Gymnasium  Music and Craft Room  —A variety of Workshops  —Transportation facilities  —Medical Practice  —High Standard Bedrooms  —Wheel Chair Facilities

Programmes offered:  ——Flexible day respite Provides a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of services for children and young people.  —Holiday provision Respite during regular school holidays, providing care givers with a break as well as providing the person being cared for with a positive experience.  ——Emergency care For children under 10 years old and their families, we provide immediate professional respite in a safe place.  Transition programmes Provides both short and long term flexible transition programmes for young people up to 21 years old.  Individualised therapeutic programmes Person led approach where the programme fits individual needs.

Introducing Matt  Matt is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and ADHD.  History of school exclusions and diagnoses  Assessment focused on the need for him to develop social regulation which had been previously addressed through behavioural approaches.

St. Andrew’s project  Matt is typical of the young people we work with – they do not fit in anywhere, neither in mainstream, special schools or units.  We were asked if we could work with parents and professionals to develop a therapeutic programme.  We decided his greatest need was to feel well and at ease, to build up trusting relationships.

Relational Regulation  Camphill has historically emphasised the need to attend to the ‘details of daily life’, to a healthy environment.  In Matt’s case we drew on this environment to provide ‘relational regulation’ – co- workers needed to be present, attentive and responsive.  A key aspect of this environment is sensitivity and flexibility to individual needs.