ECL Benfleet Learning Disabilities Day Centre (Hesten)

Everyone deserves to feel included, valued, and part of the world around them. Our goal is to ensure that all the individuals we support feel a sense of inclusion when visiting their local community. 

There are opportunities to explore local cafes, discover new hobbies or community clubs, or simply enjoying a walk at a nearby park. Every activity and connection is planned with individual interests, strengths and goals in mind, ensuring a purposeful experience

Our focus is on quality, not quantity – creating moments that bring joy, build confidence, and foster a genuine sense of belonging. 

Days at ECL Benfleet are shaped by what individuals enjoy and what helps them thrive. We offer a sensory-rich calendar of activities designed to help individuals express themselves and connect with others. Whether this is experimenting in art therapy, enjoying the calming presence of our therapy pets, or exploring sensory baking sessions. 

• Learning & Growth: For those that enjoy structured goals, we offer ASDAN qualifications tailored a pace that suits the individual.
• Comfort & Therapy: Our specialist therapy room is a sanctuary where the gentle movement of the waterbed can be enjyed. We also have a range of equipment to support customers in following physiotherapy plans tailored specifically to their needs, or simply to provide postural relief. Our goal is to help every individual move comfortably, safely, and confidently while promoting their overall wellbeing.
• Connection: We love a celebration! From garden parties to visits from the local fire brigade and primary schools, there is always an opportunity to make new friends and share a smile.

We specialise in supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) to live full and meaningful lives with opportunity, dignity and joy. While needs can be complex, our focus is always on the individual – their personality, preferences, strengths, and potential. 

By understanding every individual’s unique personality and interests, we are able to create personalised support that nurtures independence, builds confidence and enables every person to thrive. We are fortunate to have an experienced Lead Manager who specialises in Intensive Interaction - a practise designed to support communication and interaction skills to individuals with complex needs. The Lead Manager delivers training to ensure all staff gain this valuable knowledge. This expertise helps our team understand and apply different ways to connect and communicate, enhancing the support we provide every day. 

Our staff are experts in providing the high-level, person-centred care every person deserves. Whether this is support with communication, epilepsy, diabetes, or enteral care, our team is trained to provide this with dignity and compassion. 

We can offer assistance of one-to-one (1:1) or two-to-one (2:1). Each day, a dedicated support worker is assigned to each individual to provide care and support. In addition, every customer has a personal key worker who regularly checks in and works closely with family members or carers to review care plans.

We work closely with our internal clinical team who are able to provide expert support and guidance in physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapy. 

Each person has different ambitions and goals, by working together with families, healthcare professionals and friends we are able to create person centred support plans that embrace individuality. 

At ECL we work with the individual, their families, and health professionals to identify goals to create a unique and tailored support plan. One of our team will assess the level of support needed, and prices will be based on the recommendations, as well as the number of sessions required.

Funding may be available from Essex County Council subject to eligibility.