News

Layland Short Break Home in Liskeard opened its doors for the first time in 1994 to provide care for children and young people with learning disabilities and high healthcare needs. Almost 30 years later it continues to be a vital and much-loved part of the community.

The building (a bungalow situated close to Liskeard town centre) was bought by the Trust. It was specially adapted to accommodate those with complex needs. The short break service is available to children and young people aged between 3 and 18.

With no other facilities of its kind in the area, the Trust felt that Layland offered the ideal location for families and their children.

Nearly 3 decades later and Layland, with an OFSTED rating of ‘good’, has established itself as one of the best short break homes in the county. It includes 4 bedrooms, a shower room, a bathroom, a sensory room, a large outdoor play area (with a swing specially adapted for wheelchairs), a kitchen, office, laundry room, lounge area and a clinical room.

Sharon Fisher, Team Manager, says working there is more than just a job for her and her team.

She says: “We are all passionate about what we do. It is a lovely home, and it is home from home for the young people. We know them well and provide an individual and children centred approach.

“We have a really good staff team. Everyone has different strengths and interests, and these are encouraged. This feels like our home from home as well.

“I have been here 17 years and when the young people are coming into the home smiling, it means a lot.”

Danielle Fisher, Healthcare Assistant, is another long-serving member of the team. She has been at Layland for 23 years.

She says: “Seeing the children happy and relaxed here makes it all worthwhile. Some have been here 5 or 6 years. The number of nights a child receives a month is individual to the family's needs from the social worker’s assessment.

“We make sure everything is ready for when the children and young people come in. Like their room is ready, with all their favourite things, and stocked up with different bits and pieces. We make sure we have their medication charts, and any medication changes up to date.

“The young people have lots of choices. They may decide to go in the sensory room, do crafts, go in the garden, go for a walk or an outing. Then it is usually following their routine with medication, feeds, bathing, or showers.”

For children and young people who come to Layland for the first time the transition is carefully managed.

Sharon, who is also a qualified nurse, explains: “We have a robust system in place. We have one nurse and one support worker from the team who is allocated to that child, so they are the ones who coordinate everything.”

The length of time that young people stay at Layland differs, from 1 or 2 weekday nights to weekend breaks. For the duration of their stay a nurse is usually on shift to work alongside the Layland team, while there are also regular visits from support workers.

Claire Buzza, Team Coordinator, also brings a wealth of experience to the team. She has been at Layland for 2.5 years, but previously worked for over 20 years at a care home for children with autism and complex needs and challenging behaviour.

The Trust has 3 home care services in Cornwall. As well as Layland, Gwyn Dowr and Roston also offer short breaks or respite to families. Both are based in Camborne.

Claire explains: “I think years ago they did not have what they have now. Back in 1994 these short break homes were unheard of. For Layland to open there was a need for a service like this in this area of Cornwall.”

Layland has changed a lot since it first opened in 1994. Much of its transformation has been driven by making the building more accessible for equipment such as wheelchairs.

Sharon reveals: “Every inch has changed. From the sensory area with relaxing lights, projector, bubble tube, to the outside space. It was just grass on a slope, so it was not accessible for children in wheelchairs. We had a project to have all the equipment put in so that we could use the outside space. It is amazing.”