Our Approach
We offer a unique approach in providing services to people with additional support needs. We aim to provide a careful blend of learning, care and support services that cross traditional boundaries of what might be expected from social care, or educational services.
Our Facilities
Our campus covers 19 acres of farming, teaching and residential areas. Departments include Animal Care, Horticulture, Woodskills, Cafe skills, Arts & Crafts, Virtual Reality/3D Printing and Property Maintenance Skills.
Animal Care is about using the benefits of a calm, outdoor environment with young people who are interested in animals, farming, crofting and the outdoors. Small animals & bird care is learning how to work with and look after, show and breed our wide range of birds and small animals.
Horticulture is learning how to grow and maintain plants and vegetables, how to maintain a garden, work with the public, attend and display at horticultural shows and how to cook using what you have grown.
Wood skills is learning to use different tools to make crafts and wood products, attending local craft fairs and community events to promote and sell our work.
Property Maintenance is learning daily repairs and decorating.
Independent Living at Cantray Square is provided in accommodation of 1, 2 or 3-bedroom houses for up to 20 young people who access training and support services at the college. Our experienced staff team support our residents to learn independent living skills. We understand how vital this support is, if young people are to achieve the ultimate goal of maintaining their own tenancy in a community setting.
Some examples of outcomes are:
• Improving my quality of life, by helping me be more in control of my independence
• Increasing my social inclusion
• Learning how to manage my own home and tenancy (residential only)
• Sourcing employment that is appropriate to my skills
• Managing or improving my symptoms of long-term health conditions
• My personal development and developing a network of peers and friends.
We seek to ensure that each service user achieves at least one of the following destinations:
• A sustainable work placement
• Paid employment
• Volunteering in the local community
• Further education
• Maintaining their own tenancy with support (residential service users only).
A service user must have an identified level of need, which is most likely to have been identified through a personal outcome plan (formerly known as single shared assessment). This could include any or a combination of the following:
• Learning disability
• Mental health problem
• Autism Spectrum Condition
• Sensory impairment
• Long-term health condition
• Additional support needs.
