Nurturing Progress: OC’s Tailored Therapy and Education Plan

OC’s bespoke placement has been carefully designed to provide a highly personalised, consistent, and supportive environment that nurtures his development across all areas of need. Since the transition into his new setting, OC has engaged positively with a wide range of therapeutic, educational, and community-based interventions. These have been thoughtfully integrated into his daily routine to ensure continuity, promote meaningful engagement, and support his emotional wellbeing.

Each aspect of OC’s placement is underpinned by a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach involving Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Educational Psychology, Education, and input from the Service Development Practitioner Team. This holistic model allows for dynamic, responsive planning tailored specifically to OC’s individual interests, strengths, and areas for growth.

The team around OC remains committed to delivering consistent, high-quality care that not only meets his therapeutic and educational needs, but also supports his participation in meaningful activities within the home and the wider community. What follows is a detailed overview of each element of OC’s bespoke placement, highlighting the progress he is making and the collaborative efforts that contribute to his ongoing development and wellbeing.

Speech and Language Therapy

OC receives ongoing support with his speech and language development from Hannah, Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT), and Jackie, a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SaLTA). These sessions are a consistent and familiar part of OC’s weekly routine, helping him feel secure and engaged in the process. The regular input from both Hannah and Jackie provides a structured approach to building OC’s communication skills, tailored to his individual needs. Their continued support not only helps OC develop his expressive and receptive language, but also contributes positively to his confidence and ability to interact with others in a meaningful way.

Occupational Therapy

OC has been looking forward to his Special Yoga sessions with Biba and is now familiar with a variety of poses, stretches, and positions. With Biba’s regular support, he continues to expand his repertoire and is also learning to breathe mindfully, engaging in several breathing exercises during each session. OC has also accepted occupational therapy (OT) into his new environment and now has an OT resource box in place, allowing colleagues to support him with familiar activities and programs that promote interaction and sensory regulation. He happily showed the OT around his new home with a big smile and engaged in washing, drying, and putting away the pots, confidently showing where everything belonged. Although some prompting was required to complete the task, it provided a helpful baseline for future development.

Music Therapy

OC has been accessing music therapy for several years and the transition of his sessions to his new setting has been very positive.

He initiated regular periods of eye contact and smiles, demonstrating his enjoyment of the interactions as he gently rocked, engaging physically with the shared pulse of their joint music, as OC and Andrei sat beside one another on the couch. Throughout the session, Andrei provided a rich musical support to his sounds, responding to his body language and vocalisations.

OC’s ability to actively listen and respond created a dynamic exchange that highlighted his attunement to the delicate and sophisticated nuances of their musical interactions. A highlight was when he lowered his volume, becoming more subtle and attuned to Andrei’s tone and quality of sounds, creating a refined exchange that felt delicate and conversational . The session concluded with a lively goodbye song, which Oliver enjoyed singing along to while playing the drum, reinforcing the positive connections and shared focus experienced throughout this memorable session

Educational Psychology

Niall, our Educational Psychologist, has been facilitating Sunshine Circle sessions with OC, a play therapy model designed to build attachment, self-esteem, trust, and joyful engagement. It brings these benefits into the session through structured, adult-led play sessions. So far sessions have included, hand roller massage, singing along to songs, mirror/reciprocal games, and more!

Service Development Practitioner Team

The Service Development Practitioner Team has been actively involved in supporting the ongoing placement and development of OC. To help facilitate meaningful community engagement, a minibus driver assessment was completed to support community trips specifically tailored to OC’s needs and interests. Team members have also been shadowing therapy sessions involving OC and maintaining regular check-ins with therapy colleagues to ensure sessions are running smoothly and are responsive to his progress. Wellbeing support, including supervision and debriefs, has been provided to the team who work closely with OC to ensure they are supported in delivering consistent, high-quality care. The team has also contributed to the planning and resourcing of OC’s education and daily timetable, ensuring that activities remain structured and purposeful. In addition, bespoke placement training continues to be delivered to colleagues directly supporting OC, helping to maintain a shared understanding and cohesive approach across all aspects of his care and development.

Education

Michelle, OC’s Learning Practitioner, has been facilitating the education sessions on OC’s timetable which is based in the home, onsite facilities and within the community. OC has participated very well within his new Education timetable before breaking up for the summer, including reading the Snail and the Whale and then made some artwork to go with the story.

Community

It is essential that the young people are able to live a fulfilling life. For OC, participating in offsite trips ensures he is out in the community experiencing a similar life other children have. OC visited Daisy Made ice cream, Coningsby to watch the planes, shopping trips and so much more.

Prom

OC attended the prom celebration in the gym, it was a great party with his friends to celebrate everyone’s hard work and have some fun! OC looked very happy throughout prom and enjoyed the food – sausages, crisps and chocolate!

Parent’s Views

“Oliver transitioned into Apple-Tree Bungalow from the Old Vicarage in July of this summer. The transition has gone smoothly. As his parents we feel that we were part of the whole process including discussions concerning his new accommodation, environment and the exact date that Oliver moved into Apple-Tree.

We were included in multidisciplinary team meetings and transition preparation meetings with staff from education and care, and both Nick and I feel a lot of Oliver’s positive move is because of the open and honest dialogue that is continuing between ourselves and all staff within Kisimul, the advocacy service and our local authority who know Oliver well.

Even after Oliver had made the move to Apple-Tree Bungalow, any points or issues that we have raised the management have addressed quickly or have provided feedback on.

Being included in the whole process and having our input and views valued has been greatly appreciated and provided reassurance.”