Lily's Place (Diverse Abilities)

Organiser: Diverse Abilities

Where

When

Project availability

The activity runs from 22 October 2024 to 22 October 2025. The Dorset Youth does not manage bookings for this activity and is not responsible for the delivery of the project. If you have any questions, please contact the organisation directly.

This is a referral only service.

What

Lily’s Place is our short break children’s home, which is fully equipped to provide overnight respite care for up to four children and young people with complex physical and/or learning difficulties. In addition to those coming for overnight visits, we are also able to provide day care sessions at weekends and during school holidays, as well as visits after school in term time.

Facilities also include fully equipped bathrooms, rooms with hoists and specialist equipment, a soft play area, sensory room, ball pool, and garden.

Visiting Lily’s Place

Visits can be during the day, or for a sleepover, allowing the children to meet and make friends and to relax and enjoy themselves. Short breaks offer a lifeline for families managing the challenges of providing full-time care for their child; a break for them, as well as a safe haven in any emergency.

Children can choose and experience new activities during their stay, including outings to local attractions, for example the cinema or Poole Park. Staying at Lily’s Place helps the children to develop greater independence, as well as social skills, through interaction with a small number of other children.

To access Lily’s Place, a referral is usually sent by a health or social care professional. Although in some circumstances, parents are able to self-refer.

Delivering high standards

At Lily’s Place, we are monitored by Ofsted and receiving a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating at the last inspection during August 2019.

The staff are trained to look after the children and young people, who may have complex individual care needs. Staff have particular skills in developing effective communication strategies for everyone we support.

For more information, please visit the Lily's Place Webpage.

(This activity is commissioned by the council.)

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