During April 2026, two of the autistic young people with complex needs supported by Prior's Court in our Children's Homes went on holiday to Centerparcs together. This marks the third and fourth Children's Home young people to go on holiday with their staff after two went to Blackwood Forest last year. 

Otto and Rudi stayed for two nights in a woodland lodge on site at CenterParcs where they were able to easily access all of their desired activities, including swimming, bowling, boat rides, land train rides, beach trips, and more. The swimming pool was particularly popular with the pair, as they enjoyed swimming in the rapids, an activity which was enjoyed by young people and staff alike. 

As well as joint activities, the staff made sure Otto and Rudi had plenty of opportunities to go off and take part in their own preferred activity. During this time, Otto had a wonderful time in the arcades playing basketball, and Rudi went on his own treetop adventure! 

Both boys coped extremely well throughout the holiday. To prepare them for such a big change in routine, staff and families made sure to explain what was happening in a way that would best suit each young person. Rudi's mum told him verbally the weekend before he was due to leave that he would be going on holiday, at which point he returned to Prior's Court repeating 'holiday' and counting down. He was also shown images of where he would be going and the lodge they would be staying in to allow time for Rudi to become used to the location. It was also made clear that he would be returning to Prior's Court and when so he knew the holiday would only last a few days. 

For Otto, staff explained that he was going on holiday and explained the kind of activities he could do while he was there. Then the sight of his suitcase and a loaded minibus made it clear that the holiday was taking place. Otto has been on a number of camping trips before so has a good understanding of what it entails. 

In this particular instance, physical schedules like the ones at Prior's Court were not used while out on this trip as both young people are very flexible when it comes to activities and staff wanted to give them as much choice as possible when deciding what to do. Throughout the day, choices would be offered to them - for example "what next, arcades or beach?" "walk to swimming or train to swimming?" which both young people were able to understand verbally and were able to make choices this way, allowing them to have as much control over their own holiday as possible. 

This holiday marks the third and fourth young people to engage with a successful Children's Home extended holiday, and is something we can continue to facilitate in the future. 

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