The needs of individuals with severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviours are addressed (in order to optimise learning) by individualised positive behaviour modification programs. Opportunities will be provided for individual and paired sessions to develop the skills required for constructive participation in group activities. We are aware of the need for periods of time devoted to individual strategies and therapies, and that, by their very nature, challenging behaviours can limit the access of the individual to knowledge and skills. The desire to develop communication and foster positive self-images in the individual underpins the working practice of Park House. The skills involved in communicating ideas, emotions and needs to others, and in receiving and understanding communications are taught across the living and learning environment. We encourage our young adults to engage in as many offsite community activities as possible, these can be purely social for example attending, Yam Jams, discos and Monday Night Club or they can be used to enhance learning opportunities such as work placements at Acton Farm Mill, Houghton Project or attending local further education college. We are fortunate to be based closely to West Midlands Learning Campus (WMLC) where a range of activities are on offer including Pottery and Arts & Crafts. Park House are regularly invited to participate in charity events such as The Bake Off for Comic Relief or festive meals and parties.

Our young adults are diagnosed with varying disabilities, they have significant differences in cognitive ability and communicate in different ways. All young adults referred to Park House display some challenging behaviour. This is our specialism and is what is at the centre of everything we do. All forms of behaviour are seen as some form of communication. As a team of specialists we aim to give the young adult a more appropriate way of communicating. Park House uses a positive approach to promoting positive behaviour. Our physical intervention technique is called NAPPI (non-abusive physical and psychological intervention) Our aim is to   reduce and eliminate the need to use physical intervention wherever possible. All staff are fully trained in NAPPI. Proactive and preventative approaches are always used in   dealing with problematic behaviours, but at the same time we challenge the young adults to   ensure they are fulfilling their potential. NAPPI helps us to develop approaches to manage challenging behaviour in a reactive way to keep the individual and others safe from immediate harm. It also helps us to manage the positive aspects of a person’s life and reduce challenging behaviours by providing enrichment across three main categories; Caring Community, Productivity and High Quality Relaxation. All young adults have a Red, Amber and Green Lalemand scale, which is a holistic behaviour support plan. The Red scale gives a consistent way of dealing with a young adult’s behaviour and clear guidelines on what should and should not be done. We do use specific trained NAPPI physical interventions to ensure people are kept safe. However every intervention, and in fact every incident, is closely monitored by the Registered Manager, as well as the onsite NAPPI trainer. We believe in a transparent approach so all incident records are shared with parents/carers and any other significant person in the person’s life.

The desire to develop communication and foster positive self-images in the individual underpins the working practice of Park House. The skills involved in communicating ideas, emotions and needs to others, and in receiving and understanding communications are taught across the living and learning environment. Support staff are trained to use various approaches, systems and strategies including PECS and Makaton to support, communicate with and develop each adult.

The learning opportunities we provide are broad in scope, high in calibre and with sufficient details to bring meaning and understanding within the individual’s capacity for knowledge, whilst responding to the fact that different people learn in different ways. A responsive learning experience is embraced at Park House, maintaining a view of the resident as a whole person with integrated requirements for care, training and social interaction.