Woodend Farm is located in a rural setting in South Ayrshire. The children’s home offers a unique farm life experience that allows residents to sample a wider caring environment. This is achieved through active participation in delivering care to farm animals and promoting positive engagement in therapeutic work.
Woodend Farm provides first class living quarters for five children and young people aged 8 to 18 years. The service provides three en-suite bathrooms, two lounges, a diner-kitchen, and panoramic surrounding of green fields and trees.
Supporting the needs of the young people
Young people with a range of needs benefit greatly from the therapeutic nature of the farm. This includes trauma and adverse childhood experiences, an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), pathological demand avoidance (PDA), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and child sexual exploitation (CSE). All of the young people at the children’s home present as high risk, are exceptionally vulnerable and are in need of the greater protection available at this service.
The family environment, routines and strategies are in line with what works best for the young people. The staff ratios reflect the needs of the young people, offering 1:1 and 2:1 support, and a 24-hour waking service.
Providing best practice
Woodend Farm places a strong emphasis on engaging with children and young people, and enabling them to identify their living situation as no ordinary care setting.
A core practice at Woodend Farm is role modelling, to encourage positive interactions in tackling issues, resilience and social engagement. Our team are skilled and experienced in providing positive transitions for young people from previous placements, through careful and inclusive planning.