A Personalised Approach to Supporting Complex Needs

At Camphill School Aberdeen, support is never one-size-fits-all. Every young person is supported to engage with the world in a way that works for them. For those with more complex needs, this means creating the right balance of structure, environment and opportunity.

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For day placement students Ben and Joe, Camphill provides more than education and care. It offers a community where they can take part, build relationships, and develop skills through real, purposeful activities at their own pace and in their own way.

Ben’s Story

Ben is a Learning for Life Day Service student with severe global development delay and complex care needs. He is also non-verbal and experiences mobility difficulties, spending much of his day using a wheelchair.  

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At Camphill, the focus for Ben is not on what he can’t do, but on how he can actively engage with the world around him.  

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At the beginning of his time at Camphill, staff recognised that participation, rather than outcomes, would be key for Ben’s progress. Instead of focusing on producing finished items in the workshops, Ben was supported to be part of the process of making. In the Art Workshop, he began engaging in simple, structured tasks using tools such as paper cutters and a guillotine. Initially, he was reluctant to use his hands at all. Over time, through carefully broken-down steps and the introduction of the right tools, Ben began to build confidence.  

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Today, he is able to engage in these activities independently, without hand over hand support or verbal prompts, and understands the connection between his actions and their effects.  

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Ben is also socially engaged in his peer group. Being included socially is something he enjoys and benefits from, and the sense of belonging within the Camphill community plays an important role in his wellbeing. Outside, Ben connects with his environment in a sensory way. He enjoys being in nature, particularly spending time beneath the trees when it’s windy.  

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Despite his mobility difficulties, Ben is encouraged to explore his surrounding beyond his wheelchair. The environment at Camphill provides a strong motivation for Ben, and he particularly enjoys spending time with the animals at the farm and taking part in activities such as watering the plants in the garden. The motion of watering the plants was first learned in the art workshop whilst using the guillotine, showing how skills can transfer across different settings.  

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Consistency is key to Ben’s experience. A clear rhythm to his day, week, and year helps him make sense of the world around him. Although he has a tendency to withdraw, the combination of a structured routine, meaningful activities, and a supportive peer environment encourages him to re-engage.

Joe’s Story

Joe joined Camphill School Aberdeen as a day student in June 2025. He has complex autism and a learning disability, is non-verbal and is highly sensitive to unpredictable noise and events.  

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Before coming to Camphill, Joe did not benefit from a traditional classroom environment. What he needed was space, flexibility, and the opportunity to engage in a way that suited his sensory and emotional needs. At Camphill, that environment has made all the difference.  

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Open spaces such as the garden and farm provide Joe with a sense of calm and allow him to choose how he participates, whether working independently or alongside others. This autonomy has been key in helping him feel safe, regulated and ready to engage.  

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Joe has shown a preference for practical, hands-on activities. He enjoys tasks such as wheelbarrowing, which supports his gross motor skills and coordination, as well as more detailed work in the bike workshop. There, he has developed fine motor skills through tasks such as repairing punctured and using tools like screwdrivers.  

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Joe is not only developing skills, but he is also enjoying what he does. Staff have observed that he appears relaxed and engaged during these activities, often smiling as he works.  

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Socially, Joe engages in his own way. He likes being part of a group but often prefers to observe from the periphery, enjoying moments when his peers are laughing and making jokes. Over time, with the support of familiar staff, he has grown more comfortable in shared spaces.

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Structure and predictability play a crucial role in Joe’s progress. Visual timetables and ‘now and next’ boards help him understand his day, giving him reassurance and a sense of control. As a result, his anxiety has noticeably decreased.  

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One of Joe’s most significant developments has been his ability to self-regulate. Where he previously struggled to engage with other, he is now able to make choices such as deciding when to join a group or when to take a step back and have a break.  

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Joe’s parents have seen his transformation first hand. “Since joining Camphill on the Young Adults Programme, we have been absolutely astounded at the skills he has gained. He loves mucking out the stables, tending to the garden, particularly watering the plants and mulching the soil for the potatoes. He has also improved his fine motor skills working in the bicycle repair workshop, repairing punctures and becoming a dab hand with a screwdriver! The programme has been so important for Joe to be part of a team and develop close relationships with staff and students”

At Camphill School Aberdeen, every young person is supported to thrive in a way that suits their individual needs. Ben and Joe’s experiences show how a personalised approach can make a real difference, helping each young person grow, connect and thrive within the Camphill community.