Information Aspiring status for an inspiring team!
Tucked away in the quiet, idyllic village of Horndean, Hampshire, is our Durlands Road autism service – the latest recipient of the National Autistic Society’s (NAS) Aspiring status!
Led by manager Terri Ashcroft, who has been with the service since 2018, the dedicated team provide a warm and caring environment for those living at the home. The staff are hard-working and committed to continuously progressing their skills for the benefit of the people they support, making them a true inspiration.
Road to success
The team at Durlands Road are highly skilled and develop their knowledge in line with the needs of the people they support. Manager Terri, who has an NVQ Level 4 in Health & Social Care, implemented autism training for all staff to ensure they could fully support the residents. This training means the team can truly understand what their support means to people with these difficulties.
Across the entire team, the staff are extremely enthusiastic about the support they deliver and actively look to improve their skills and knowledge. At the time of the NAS assessment, the team supported two residents. Through consistent care and support, the team enabled these individuals to thrive and reach their goals in less than seven months.
Terri Ashcroft, Service Manager at Durlands Road said, “The staff team are extremely enthusiastic about the support they provide and have been since day one of their training and introduction program.”
One of these individuals required more specialist, sensory care than the team could provide. Without hesitation, they actively pursued training opportunities to develop new skills to best support this resident.
Now enjoying a sensory diet and a long list of sensory activities, he enjoys an exciting range of outdoor activities alongside two members of staff.
“We are determined to discover new care methods to support this person. Our team started training with the community learning disability team to develop their skills. We are still working with this individual to adapt care and support, so it continues to meet all his needs.”
Terri Ashcroft,
Service Manager – Durlands Road
Promoting person-centred care
The team pride themselves on delivering person-centred care, and continuously collaborate with the people they support so they can adapt care to meet their needs. The NAS inspector commented that “Staff at Durlands Road deserve this Aspiring status because they consistently act as advocates for the autistic people they support.”
This is true in every way possible. Residents enjoy busy days filled with activities designed to help them thrive. From football to trampolining, to trips out in the local area and further afield, Durlands Road are always on the go!
The residents have a variety of communication needs and various tools are used to support this. This enables them to take control of their lives. With help, the people we support receive encouragement to be as independent as possible and play a key role in caring for the home. The team also encourage them to personalise their bedrooms and maintain positive relationships with friends and family.
All about our home
Durlands Road has an all-male occupancy and is a dedicated transitional home for those requiring intense support for learning disabilities. Specialising in supporting people with autism, the team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting people with a wide range of learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, and mental health needs.
Team members receive MAPA training and provide the best possible care, ensuring the people they support live rich and fulfilled lives.
“We will continue to provide high-quality care and support to individuals, encouraging them to try new activities and reach goals. We’re confident we will achieve accredited status next time thanks to the team’s hard work and dedication.”
Terri Ashcroft,
Service Manager – Durlands Road
Find out more
If you’d like to learn more about how we can support you, a loved one, or a client to live their best lives, complete our quick and easy enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch!
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