![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/linden-farm-the-family-who-turned-a-care-home-for-adults-with-complex-needs-on-its-head/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130790263_mediaitem130774564.jpg&description=Image source, Sally Lawrence Image caption, Simon and Sally Lawrence celebrating his 30th birthday Finding a home for adults with complex care needs can be a challenge many families face. But one couple decided to try something new and developed a care home for their son which has gained international interest. When Simon Lawrence was eight he was sent to a residential school miles away from home. "He had complex needs and we just couldn't manage," his mum Sally tells the BBC podcast Access All . "To let him go at the age of eight, my heart has been broken many times." Simon, now 30, is autistic, non-verbal, has epilepsy and needs round-the-clock care and two-to-one support when he is out and about. He was lucky with his residential placements growing up. Although they were a long way from home, he was happy. After school he transferred to a young person's centre on the same site, and could stay there until he was 26. After that the family needed to find something new. "We used to say that school was like the honeymoon period for people with severely disabled children, because after that there is nothing." The family spoke with their local authority, Surrey County Council which, try as it might, could only find placements in area such as Yorkshire and Cornwall, due to a shortage of provision - a problem faced by families all over the country. But the Lawrence's were adamant, Simon must live near them. "We want to be part of his life, he part of ours. That was our starting point," Sally says. Along with other local parents in the same situation, Sally and Peter Lawrence set up The Simon Trust to see if they could provide residential care for multiple adults with complex needs but in a different way. Traditionally, the residential building, care provision and all facilities are organised by the local authority. Some places are paid for, others might be partially funded. But this time, the Lawrence's wanted to offer some financial contribution, through fundraising, to){kind=link}
Finding a home for adults with complex care needs can be a challenge many families face. But one couple decided to try something new and developed a care home for their son which has gained international interest.
When Simon Lawrence was eight he was sent to a residential school miles away from home.
“He had complex needs and we just couldn’t manage,” his mum Sally tells the BBC podcast Access All. “To let him go at the age of eight, my heart has been broken many times.”
Simon, now 30, is autistic, non-verbal, has epilepsy and needs round-the-clock care and two-to-one support when he is out and about.
He was lucky with his residential placements growing up. Although they were a long way from home, he was happy. After school he transferred to a young person’s centre on the same site, and could stay there until he was 26. After that the family needed to find something new.