Health & Wellbeing at Cambian Wing College

Throughout their time at Cambian Wing College, all of our students are encouraged and supported to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles, with a strong focus on good, sustainable physical and emotional health. We support students through a multi-disciplinary approach, utilising our specialist therapy, education and care teams to deliver programmes that ensure all students take an active role in managing their own health and wellbeing.

Physical Health

Our staff deliver regular individual and group sessions to promote good health and are available to answer any individual health queries. Diet and nutrition are regularly reviewed and physical activities are offered and encouraged as part of all study programmes. Students are supported to coordinate all necessary health appointments and staff monitor the general health of students and any medication requirements as necessary. All students are coached in good personal care, sleep and hygiene routines.

Emotional Health

To ensure a strong focus on positive emotional health, all students follow a varied programme which includes themes that explore individual roles and responsibilities in different contexts – which includes topics such as:

Substance misuse
Keeping safe in the community
Alcohol misuse
Cyber-safety
Smoking
Sex and relationships
Vulnerability within the community
Equality & diversity

Wellbeing & Clinical Services

The Wellbeing team commence a 3-month assessment for each student upon admission. This assessment supplements their current EHCP, allowing the clinicians to implement the correct interventions drawing from a variety of evidence-based practises. Interventions will be delivered through individual or group session via a direct and/or indirect approach. The wellbeing team offer a person-centred approach to all students to ensure that their personal goals and needs are met.

Understanding the individual needs of our students is essential to supporting their development - we believe that a diagnosis of High-Functioning Autism does not predict behaviour or dictate support requirements. Every one of our students is unique and our positive approaches are embedded across education and our waking-day curriculum. Our range of multidisciplinary therapies are delivered by a highly skilled and passionate team who work together to create a holistic, caring environment.

Hear from Jaipreet and Phoebe, two of our therapy specialists as they discuss the benefits of an on-site therapy team.

College Therapy FAQ’s

How is social interaction supported?

Staff are trained in supporting Autistic young adults and recognising and supporting social communication needs. This can look like staff supporting and modelling social interactions, understanding and developing young adults understanding of their own social communication styles and preferences, developing additional ways to recognise and communicate emotional states or advocate for self (through modelling, day to day discussion or skills based intervention if indicated). The team also use social thinking model to understand and debrief both successful and unexpected social interactions to support young adults to develop their understanding of their skills and the impact of their social communication style on others and their responses.

What therapy is on offer?

At Wing college there is a multi-disciplinary Autism specialist clinical team integrated alongside the education and residential teams. The clinical team comprises of Occupational therapy (qualified and assistant), Speech and Language therapy and Clinical Psychology. The clinical team support the delivery of the universal approach at Wing through consultation and training.

The clinical team may also develop programmes of intervention for education and residential teams to deliver to young people. The clinical team also offer some specialist direct interventions to individuals – these are time limited and goal orientated.

The clinical interventions on offer are evidence -based interventions to support neurodivergent young people. The clinical team will identify if more specialist support is required (for example specialist mental health support) and refer and signpost to other organisations as required.

When can my child get therapy?

The initial clinical offer for individuals is linked to needs and provision as identified on an EHCP. The clinical team is resourced to meet this identified provision. Of course, we recognise that needs change for young people and them clinical team complete an initial assessment in the first three months of placement to identify any additional therapeutic needs or provision.

This can be reassessed at others times throughout placement in discussion with the clinical team. Capacity to meet additionally identified needs will be dependent on the needs and provision identified at these times. Not all young people attending Wing College receive individual sessions with the clinical team. We are able to see students for ad-hoc sessions- if there is a Clinical need- but this dependant on Clinicians availability.

What if my child needs more therapy than is listed on their EHCP?

The clinical team can support with assessment of needs and if within our remit of specialist Autism input may be able to offer provision to meet these needs or liaise with local authorities for updated EHCP. If therapeutic needs are outside the clinical team’s area of expertise, then this will be communicated and referrals made to other services to ensure these needs are met.

Is there a sensory room? What is it like?

Yes, at Wing College we have a small sensory room known as ‘the chill room’ located by the Therapeutic Services office. Students have the choice to have the room dimmed, or use various lights and bubble tubes available. There are bean bags, pillows, various fidget toys, massage equipment and weighted blankets. Alternatively, we have the OT studio which houses a C-Swing and Dark den, which students can use to regulate with their support staff.

How is therapeutic support given in the college and residential home?

Therapeutic support is offered across staff groups in both educational and residential settings with the clinical team supporting this through offering training, consultation and modelling as required. The clinical team have weekly meetings with the education and residential teams to identify any area of need or concerns in the site wide delivery of a therapeutic approach.