Henry

Chailey Heritage Foundation recently received a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating for its on-site residential bungalows, reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional care for young people like Henry. Henry, 12, has attended school at Chailey Heritage Foundation for nine years and has lived full-time in our Brambles bungalow for the past two years. According to his mum, Caroline, and his support worker, Hannah, he has adapted very well to living away from home.

Henry’s radiant smile can sometimes mask the complexity of his needs which include Multicystic Hydrocephalus, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Autism, and a visual impairment. Despite these challenges, his family have witnessed an improvement in his wellbeing since he began living full-time here. With structured days and everything accessible on one site, Henry is less anxious and irritable. The familiar surroundings and consistent routine have had a profoundly calming effect on him.

Henry’s favourite activities include swimming in the hydrotherapy pool, hippotherapy horse riding classes, and driving his powered wheelchair around the site. His vocalisations have improved significantly; he can now speak two-syllable words and articulate the names of his support team. This progress allows his family to focus on enjoying quality time with him, free from the daily emotional and physical challenges they previously faced.

Promoting independence and choice is a cornerstone of Chailey Heritage Foundation’s philosophy. Each day, Henry has the opportunity to choose what he wears, eats for breakfast, and the activities he wants to engage in. Caroline is particularly pleased with the variety in his diet and has noticed a marked increase in his appetite since moving here full-time.

Henry’s confidence has flourished with encouragement from his support team. He loves visiting Patchwork Farm, located on-site, where he navigates the accessible pathways in his wheelchair and enjoys interacting with the pigs. His active nature and love for the outdoors make the farm a perfect setting to connect with animals and nature.

Hannah, Henry’s support worker, feels that Henry’s support team have won the family’s trust, knowing that Henry is in safe hands and receiving the best support and care. His mum, Caroline echoes this saying, “Now we are living life again, whereas before we were just existing. We have time to breathe, have a social life, and even go on holiday! Seeing Henry so settled and happy is extremely reassuring. The staff at Chailey Heritage are amazing and we feel so blessed that he’s able to live his life to the full there.”

Chailey Heritage Foundation’s commitment to maintaining high standards of residential care ensures that young people like Henry can thrive, while providing their families with peace of mind and renewed freedom. With its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating and a team dedicated to nurturing potential, the foundation continues to set the benchmark for exceptional care and support.