Located on the outskirts of a large town in North Ayrshire, Dovecote Hall Cottage is a charming former toll house, situated within semi-rural agricultural land. The service offers comfortable and scenic accommodation, including an annexe for more independent living. The main house is an ideal setting for a solo placement or sibling group aged 8 to 18 years with a range of needs.
Important announcement:
Our name has now changed from Aspire Scotland Limited to Aspris Scotland Limited on the Scotland Excel Children’s Residential Care and Education Services Flexible Framework Agreement.
Supporting the needs of the young people
At Dovecote Hall Cottage, we specialise in supporting children and young people who have mental health needs, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder and specified learning difficulties, including dyslexia and communication problems. Typically, our work focuses on identifying and supporting the individual’s difficulties, which may include social interaction, impaired language and communication, as well as physical behaviours.
High levels of support are also provided for those individuals with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), child sexual exploitation (CSE), pathological demand avoidance (PDA) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The staff ratios reflect the needs of the young people; the service offers 1:1 and 2:1 support, and includes a 24-hour waking service. Where required, this service can provide supported living to individuals via its satellite flat, as part of pathways planning.
Providing best practice
We promote the safety and wellbeing of all children, young people and staff. GIRFEC is at the core of our work. There is an emphasis on the clear roles and responsibilities of the child, young person and staff worker, to establish a safe and therapeutic environment.
Embedded within our work at Dovecote Hall Cottage, is a commitment to an ‘outcomes’ approach in meeting needs. Central to this are our approaches to assessment, which are the cornerstones of our work. We are committed to our ‘one team’ ethos and promote safety, wellbeing and opportunity for our children, young people and staff.
Achieving positive outcomes
In the last year, two of our residents have successfully transitioned back into their local communities.
A range of activities
The external environment at Dovecote Hall Cottage is utilised to maximise opportunities for early interventions, which can assist residents in leading rich and fulfilling lives. The staff team provide a structure that ensures young people undertake normal daily routines and are encouraged to become as independent as possible, in terms of sleep patterns, personal hygiene, dressing, attending school, cooking and shopping.
The external environment provides a range of learning opportunities and staff have gained recognition for their inclusive approach. Residents at the cottage enjoy access to our community campus at Radio City. This is only a 15-minute journey, where they can enjoy our fitness and well-being complex, and our trendy American diner. The other local activities include:
- A snooker club
- Greenacres Riding Stables
- Magnum Centre with swimming, badminton, short tennis and fitness facilities
- Army Cadets
- Galleon Leisure Centre with 5-a-side football, badminton, a sauna, swimming, ice skating and ice hockey
- Dean Castle & Country Park
- The Garage Leisure Complex
Care Inspectorate review for Dovecote Hall Cottage:
- From this inspection we graded this service as:
- Quality of care and support 5 – Very Good
- Quality of environment Not Assessed
- Quality of staffing 5 – Very Good
- Quality of management and leadership Not Assessed