Hi all, well the time has come for me to start looking into which college i would like my daughter to attend when she lea ves her special needs school. I have heard lufton is a really good one and that they have animals there!!! which would make life there a perfect experience for my girlie, wondered if anyone had already visited or has a child there or just any ionfo as the website is down at the mo so i can't get to have a look :o(

thanks muggles x

Hi muggles, thanks very much for your post! It must be a very exciting time planning the next step for your daughter, and I'm sure you're keen to find the right college for her.  

You can find out more about all the Mencap National Colleges on this site, at www.mencap.org.uk/mnc or you can contact Lufton College directly with any questions at lufton.college@mencap.org.uk

I'd also really recommend looking at our blog by Carol, a mum whose daughter has just started at another Mencap college, Dilston. You can read it at www.mencap.org.uk/carolsblog and leave any comments at the end of each entry using the pink box at the bottom.

Do let us know how you get on and what you and your daughter end up deciding on!

Good luck!

Rachel

hi i know its a bit late on replying to this message but my brother attended lufton college for 3 years and these 3 years were the best 3 years he has had for education and for teaching him life skills.

i had visited the college a number of times to see him and for there summer fairs and i can honestly say that it was a pleasure going there as all the staff are friendly and that all the students that are there are so happy.

hopefully this will be a bit of a help if you have not already chosen a college for your daughter to attend.

 matthew

We had a look at Lufton for our son, who has SLD, but decided that he needed a bit more support than they could offer at the time.  He finally went to Fairfield Opportunity Farm at Dilton Marsh near Warminster, which was very good for him.  After a very short time in a residential care home he moved into a cottage shared with 2 other people with special needs.  Now 31 he is living in his own flat with support for cooking and meals, plus day services  -  something we would never have believed possible when he was 18.

Be sure to look around as much as possible, everywhere has strengths and weaknesses.  The important thing is that you feel confident that you've made the best choice for your child.  A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if YOU would be happy in the place you have chosen for your child.  Finally, make sure that you know the funding your local authority has.

Thanks guys for your replies, am planning to visit Lufton this Autumn, along with a few others as well..Will keep you posted!!