Tigh Abaid
Tigh Abaid is a children’s home associated with Kisimul Lower School Lincolnshire (Swinderby), and offers residential provision for up to six young people with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs, including behaviours of concern.
Welcome
Our aim is to improve the social and educational outcomes of the young people we support, and the home provides an integrated residential, education and care package to boys and girls aged eight to 19.
The large, six bedroomed property is set in almost two acres of land in the village of Langford, in Nottinghamshire, and is just four miles from Newark-on-Trent.
Many of the original features of the home have been retained, and the stunning garden is stocked with mature trees and shrubs, with views to the village church and beyond.
Transport links are good, and the home is therefore easily accessible.
Our Statement of Purpose is available to view/download here.
Our approach
At Tigh Abaid, our philosophy is to promote a safe and caring environment in which the richness and diversity of childhood is celebrated, building on strengths deriving from ability, age, culture, ethnicity and gender. Our policies, procedures and practice support cultural and physical diversity, and respect for everyone as an individual is at the very heart of what we do. The young people we support are able to develop in a place where they enjoy learning, and where they can grow towards independence.
Working closely with Kisimul Lower School (Swinderby), Tigh Abaid provides a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum that aims to promote the spiritual, academic, personal and social development of each individual. We also work closely in consultation with families as part of our person-centred process, with the voice of the young person being at the core of what we do. Coupled with a high staffing ratio to ensure Individual Learning Plan targets are met, are extensive educational resources at Kisimul Lower School (Swinderby) including a teaching kitchen, sensory integration room, interactive sensory rooms and ICT suite. There is also a gym and on-site swimming pool to facilitate the physical curriculum.
Accommodation
Tigh Abaid has accommodation for six young people with single bedrooms with en-suites, dining area, lounge and laundry room as well as a large garden. A delightful feature of the property is the stunning garden with mature trees and shrubs with views over to the village church and countryside beyond.
Activities
There is a full range of activities at the home. leisure, sporting and recreational activities, details of which are set out in the school’s prospectus. Each young person at the home participates in physical education as part of the National Curriculum and there is a wide range of sporting activities available outside of the usual curriculum. Shopping trips into Lincoln are made at the weekends, and there is also rock climbing and sailing. All such activities including holidays and days trips are in line with their individual needs and organised under the supervision of appropriately qualified staff and comply with relevant policies.
There is an active young people’s council who are involved in making decisions about the school and residential services.
Staff & Therapeutic Services
The home is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We pride ourselves on our high standards in terms of staffing, and we have a detailed and structured training and development programme in place. The services we provide are enhanced by experienced staff being allocated across all teams, and staff act as mentors and role models for the young people in our care.
Staff are specifically trained in recognising the types of challenges and needs that the young people have, which is vital in helping them reach their full potential.
Tigh Abaid has a large Educational Support team. This team includes Psychology and Therapies and forms an integral part of our multidisciplinary team. The team works very closely together to advise, guide and support staff in meeting the very complex needs of our young people by developing and implementing individualised support and skill development plans. See more information on our Therapeutic Services here.
Safeguarding
It is the policy of Kisimul Group to ensure that a safe and caring environment is provided at all times for the young people entrusted to its care, and to protect them from significant harm (Part 2 section 10 of the Children’s Act 2004). The group is committed to ensuring that all young people attending services are kept safe and that concerns about a young person are followed up in the right way and to ensure that everyone including parents/carers, staff, volunteers and young people know what should happen and what is expected of them.
Tigh Abaid follows the safeguarding procedure (OPED 05 Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy) in line with The Local Safeguarding Board. The local procedure is framed in the context of the Company’s overall policy and procedure. Full training in the appropriate procedures is provided as part of the induction process for each new member of staff and reinforced in periodic refresher training and through supervision.
No form of bullying nor intimidation is tolerated anywhere within Tigh Abaid, irrespective of who the victim or perpetrator may be. The overall philosophy on these issues is set out in the company’s comprehensive behaviour policy.
The school year
The home offers offer up to 52 weeks of residential provision. The associated school, Kisimul Lower School Lincolnshire (Swinderby) operates a conventional three-term school year over 38 weeks of full-time education.
All young people placed at Tigh Abaid undertake an individual programme of education tailored to their specific needs. Kisimul Lower School (Swinderby) has interactive white boards in all classrooms; each class room also has iPads and ICT hardware and software to meet the needs of the pupils.
Contact details
Tigh Abaid, Newark, Nottinghamshire.
For further information please call or email: 01522868279 or enquiries@kisimul.co.uk.
