Day centres for adults with learning disabilities and autism

We know that education doesn’t stop when you leave school, which is why we offer support for people with learning disabilities and autism who want to expand their knowledge base. By creating a personalised plan, we can help you gain a new qualification, learn to manage your money, travel independently, or build social skills.

We’ll review your progress at least every six months to ensure your support plan is still working hard for you and make the necessary changes to keep you moving forward.

When you get in touch with ECL’s day service, you’ll work with one of our experienced Trusted Assessors who will form a picture of where you want to be and what will motivate you to get there. The friendly teams in our day centres will then be tasked with making sure you receive the right support on a day-to-day basis to get you there, led by a key worker whose role it is to keep your plan on track.

We pride ourselves on employing staff who are familiar with the challenges that people with autism and learning disabilities can face and are passionate about helping people overcome obstacles to realise their potential. We heavily invest in their training and development, so they have the skills they need to effectively support you in doing just that.

Some of the training available includes condition-specific courses focusing on learning disability, autism, sensory awareness, diabetes and epilepsy; care and support certification;  health and medication-related programmes addressing eating, drinking and swallowing, dysphagia, and enteral feeding; communication qualifications; positive behaviour support and crisis prevention intervention training; and formal awards for the provision of further education.

We are also fortunate to have access to a specialist in-house clinical team who not only provide expert physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy but also train and guide day centre staff in delivering therapeutic plans.

You can find out more about our clinical team here.

At ECL, we believe in the importance of community integration and actively facilitate opportunities for individuals to participate in activities outside of our day centres. Whether it's volunteering, attending local events, or simply popping out to the shops, we want to help people feel a sense of belonging within the wider community, nurture meaningful relationships, and develop greater self-worth.

Our ‘Community Connectors’ work hard to explore what activities are available in your neighbourhood and help you connect with them. Day centre staff will then support you in getting involved in as much or as little as you like, building your confidence and encouraging you to become more independent.

To succeed, we must feel safe which is why we take safety seriously. Our network of day centres is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and staffed by a team of compassionate professionals who are committed to creating a secure, inclusive space for all.

Our staff are trained to competently assess risk and will consult with you and the people who support you to evaluate and limit hazards before starting a new activity or project.

The right technology is a vital tool in ECL’s armoury, which is why we continuously research and implement new types of tech to improve the experience of customers with autism, learning difficulties and other complex needs.

We use digital interactive screens and mats like Omi and Integrex to stimulate interaction. We help give non-verbal customers a voice with communication aids and encourage the use of apps and devices such as Alexa and smart watches to promote greater independence.

ECL’s ‘Moment’ app keeps a record of your achievements, featuring photos and notes so you can capture special moments and share your successes with your loved ones.

If you already use technology in your daily life, tell us about it when we first meet you and we’ll ensure we’re ready to support you when you join us.