From school to adult life: a personalised approach
Chloe attends ECL Benfleet (Hesten), a specialist day centre supporting people with severe learning disabilities and complex needs. Chloe lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, double scoliosis, epilepsy, and is blind and non-verbal. She requires full support with daily activities such as dressing, washing, eating, and staying safe. Spending long periods in her wheelchair often leads to discomfort, muscle stiffness, and circulation issues.
At 19, Chloe moved from school into adult life—a major milestone for any young person but especially challenging for those with complex health needs. Familiar routines, staff, and healthcare professionals suddenly change, leaving families vulnerable as they try to maintain care standards and put new arrangements into place.
The plan for Chloe when she left school in July 2024, was for her to attend Hesten two days a week, while attending college two days a week.
Chloe’s mum, Becky explained, “I was very nervous about how she would settle into a new environment after being so settled at school for the past 15 years and knowing that she struggles to cope with new people and places, but the staff at Hesten have been amazing! Two of the day centre managers came to all the transition meetings at the school and then four staff members visited my daughter at school regularly for several months to learn her routines, how she communicates, and to familiarise her with their voices. My daughter and I visited Hesten a few times before she started as well. This helped her greatly with her transition.”
Abbygail Feltham, Hesten’s experienced lead manager, understands how critical the transition period is. Drawing on her in-depth knowledge of supporting people with complex needs, Abby quickly recognised that Chloe’s wellbeing also depended on a robust physiotherapy plan. Her insight led her to refer Chloe to Ilona Bojaczuk, one of ECL’s in-house physiotherapists, for a review of the existing school physiotherapy plan.
Ideally, outgoing and incoming professionals collaborate closely during transitions, ensuring all care plans are handed over and made part of the new daily routine. However, all too often it is difficult to make contact and get time with previous professionals, so Ilona had to make do without a full history. Instead, Ilona took time to get to know Chloe personally, working closely with her day centre support team to understand how she communicates and what she enjoys. She organised a joint review with NHS professionals and carried out a thorough assessment.
A revised physiotherapy plan was created to improve posture, mobility, and overall comfort. Key elements included safely hoisting Chloe from her wheelchair to a physio mat each day to relieve pressure, reduce risk of sores, and perform gentle stretches. To keep Chloe calm and relaxed, the plan also included sensory engagement such as playing her favourite music, singing, or reading during sessions.
Ilona provided demonstrations, training sessions, and clear documentation with pictures as a reference for staff. A plan has been put into place to ensure ongoing communication with NHS therapists for feedback and adjustments.
This collaborative approach between Ilona, NHS physiotherapists, and the Hesten day centre team has made a real difference. The day centre staff have diligently followed the plan; Chloe has physio on a gym mat every morning and when she is going into the community the team support Chloe with exercises after personal care.
Her care team have observed a longer tolerance for sitting after mat sessions, reduced signs of discomfort, improved muscle relaxation and flexibility, and easier positioning during exercises. They also reported that Chloe is appearing more settled and relaxed.
Abby commented, "It took time for Chloe to get used to physio, but now she really enjoys it. The exercises have become easier for her, and you can tell it’s made a big difference to her comfort."
This personalised approach to Chloe’s care has enabled her to more actively engage in her daily activities at the centre and improved her overall wellbeing.
She goes off happy and comes home happy, which to me suggests she enjoys her time at Hesten.
Becky, Chloe's mum
The benefits have been so significant that Chloe’s attendance has increased from two to four days a week.
For families facing similar transitions, Chloe’s story shows that early planning, collaboration, and a team willing to listen and adapt can make all the difference. With the right support, even the most challenging changes can lead to comfort, confidence, and a better quality of life.