'We wouldn’t have coped without them': Parents share their experiences of an outstanding facility in Lancaster

The four-bedroom building offers overnight breaks for children with severe and profound disabilities.

But it's become an extension of many families, with staff saying they like to be thought of as part of the wider family network when they welcome children up to the age of 18 into their building.

The team spend a lot of time organising days out and going to different events, and always make sure the experience is something that's important or of interest to each individual.

Caleb has severe learning disabilities and autism.

He has very complex needs and his mum, Michelle, worried that he might have to leave their family home and move into residential care.

She said:

"We wouldn’t have been able to cope without Alex House.

"It has been the difference between Caleb remaining at home or going into care, it's that profound.

"Children go there and they come out happy, they settle.  That’s largely because the staff want to be there, they want to make a difference. They genuinely want to help.

"They call the children their best mates when they're telling us what they've been doing.

"They make it so different to home life, and they work really hard and make that child feel as comfortable as possible. They treat children with the respect and the empathy that they need. It's not just a blanket approach for each child.

"Caleb's world is so small and this place is another way to open up his world.  Without Alex House all he would have would be school and home, and that's no life for him."

13-year-old Riley is another regular guest at Alexandra House. He and his 11-year-old brother both have autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.

Riley's mum, also called Michelle, credits these overnight stays with keeping her family together.

She said:

"There was a time when we might not have been able to stay as a four because of managing the complexities of Riley and his brother's care. And that wasn't through us not wanting to.

"We're alright at the minute, but I do believe it's because of having those two nights where he stays over.

"It is life changing, because Riley sees Alex House as a home, it's not just a centre.  The staff are very nurturing and they go out of their way to look after him.

"It's such a massive decision to put your child in somebody else's hands, and it's 100% the right thing that he goes there, but it is difficult to accept support, even though we knew we needed it.

"It makes such a difference. He goes there, he has a good time, he's able to do things that I can't do on my own.

"I think by having that service you are keeping families together."

Alexandra House has been rated as 'outstanding' in its most recent Ofsted inspection, which is its 14^th outstanding rating in a row.

This makes Alexandra House one of only a handful of services in the country to have received this many outstanding judgments.

John Paul Adamson has been the manager there for the past 14 years and said:

"We've got a real drive that our kids should be seen and seen out and about enjoying things that every other child enjoys.

"We recently arranged a day trip for one of our children to get tickets for England v Finland at Wembley. Her care giver couldn't have managed this trip, going down to London, so we let the child choose who she went down with and enjoyed a Wembley match.

"In the summer we went on a caravan holiday with a group of children. We're never in! We go to music festivals and concerts locally too.

"The team see past the child's additional needs and ensure they are given the same opportunities as other children.  We know that we are valued immensely by our families and Ofsted grading us 'Outstanding' is just the cherry on the cake "

County Councillor Cosima Towneley, cabinet member for Children and Families said:

"I can't shout loud enough about the fantastic team at Alex House who look after all these incredible children as if they were their own and make their stays with them so special.

"Hearing about the impact that they've had on Caleb, Riley and their families shows what a vital part of the family they are for those who come and stay in their care; in fact they are helping to keep their families together.

"I am so proud that one of the best facilities in the county is right here in Lancashire and although it's no surprise to me that they've been rated as Outstanding once again, it is something that should be celebrated every time."