Accessibility Toolbar
Cambian CareTech Careers
Accessibility Toolbar Our school locations Enquire or refer
Our school locations Enquire or refer

Benjamin's Story

  • 18 March 2026

Before moving to Stratford Lodge

Benjamin has a diagnosis of autism, anxiety and ADHD.

Benjamin had a history of previous placements breaking down, his high anxiety and challenges in line with his Autism and ADHD meant that learning environments were a trigger for him. He was regularly becoming heightened and responding behaviourally. He was aggressive towards others and as he grew nearer to adulthood his mental health declined and he also began to self-harm.

The escalation of these behaviours led to challenges maintaining his placements until eventually arriving at Stratford Lodge.

How Stratford Lodge supported Benjamin

Benjamin craved the social experiences a college environment could give him but was unable to maintain his placements due to behaviour and application. Between the age of 18 and 21 Benjamin was supported by Stratford Lodge. He received 1:1 support, he was assigned a skilled and experienced key worker who acted as his main port of call for any challenges he was facing. Benjamin’s key worker was a fierce advocate for him and supported him to engage in a number of challenging experiences, refusing to give up until Benjamin had developed and was able to achieve success.

The following strategies supported Benjamin to settle into Stratford Lodge and to make progress:

  • Benjamin had an Individual Risk Assessment and Behaviour Support Plan implemented by the home.
  • A sensory diet was integrated into his day.
  • Benjamin had informal key worker sessions, cleverly designed so as not to trigger his anxiety.
  • He was assessed collaboratively using the Outcome Star and agreed on targets that would support him to reach his goals. This shared ownership allowed him to accept responsibility and reflect on his behaviours, something he had struggled with his whole life.
  • Benjamin was supported to develop independence skills such as train travel that were a huge boost to his self-esteem.
  • He was given social skills advice, role modelling and opportunities to mix with peers his age in the home and the community.
  • When Benjamin made a mistake he was supported with a restorative approach and not with judgment or blame.
  • Benjamin was supported to access a college environment in the community, he was given visuals, social stories and 1:1 support from Stratford Lodge staff to ensure he maintained attendance and completed the work set to the best of his ability.

The IMPACT of these strategies

  • Benjamin’s social circle grew, he spent more time with like-minded individuals and felt accepted and important within the group. A huge boost for his self-esteem and confidence.
  • Benjamin’s incidents reduced year on year and in his final 2 years there were no incidents of targeted aggression towards others.
  • Benjamin learnt how to accept support and this helped him engage in a number of new settings that added value to his life.
  • His life skills and confidence in the home and the community vastly improved. He was able to do much more for himself when he left us then he could when he arrived. Including personal care, cooking and community access.

Positive Outcomes

  • Benjamin passed the college course he had been supported to complete, the first time he had successfully managed this.
  • Benjamin had the confidence to accept support and engage in further college courses after he left us, giving him purpose and focus each day.
  • Benjamin was able to experience a level of independence across his life that he had not previously thought possible.
  • Benjamin had friends, people his age he enjoyed spending time with and who we would support him to engage with socially in evenings and weekends.

© Copyright 2026 The Cambian Group

Website by Kayo.digital

Search Cambian Group

Popular searches