Somerset Residential removes barriers for young people with additional needs

For many young people with additional needs, the Residential section of their Gold Award was often seen as a “sticking point” and a “step too far”, says DofE Leader at City College Plymouth, Ciara.

But Somerset Council have gone above and beyond to offer Gold Residentials specifically for young people with additional needs, giving them a safe space to take part in activities while still meeting the outcomes of the section.

In November 2024, Somerset Council partnered with the DofE to create a residential programme specifically for young people with additional needs, making full use of the flexibilities within the Residential section.

Ciara, DofE Leader at City College Plymouth says: “We find students are able to complete their Bronze and Silver, but when it comes to Gold the Residential can be a bit of a sticking point.”

Ciara’s students, along with young people from Bridgwater and Taunton College and Aurora Foxes, got together at Klive Court for a week of activities together with their DofE Leaders.

Somerset Council DofE Operations Manager Carol says: “Spending five days away from home is really scary for some young people, especially if they’re anxious or their additional needs means they need adult support.”

Having the option of leaders attending meant young people had the security of knowing the support was there if they needed it, while Karl, Centre Manager at Kilve Court says the leaders could “guide us in where we can push the young people in activities or if they’re starting to get overwhelmed, just tell us to step back and give them some downtime”.

Somerset Residential participants working together

The young people chose their activities themselves, choosing from more both water sports and high ropes, and environmental art or storytelling.

18-year-old Daniel says: “It felt exciting! We were working together, and teamwork makes the dream work.”

On top of this, the timetable and site meant any downtime for young people could be easily accommodated, as Karl says Kilve Court gave them the “space where they can head off if they’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, have a bit of downtime and reset”.

With three different centres coming together, young people were able to have the safety of already knowing a few other participants, while also getting the chance to meet new people and make new friends.

By day three, Ciara noticed how “as the week has gone on, they’ve been branching out from the stuff they know, interacting with people they haven’t met before”, and as a result, “they really are integrated as a group”.

Helping young people achieve their goals

With the residential being a success for both young people, their leaders and staff at Somerset Council, Carol is keen for the programme to continue every year.

The DofE Operations Manager says: “We’ve managed to tick all the DofE boxes while delivering something that young people can attend without causing anxiety and stress, and make sure they can complete their Gold Award.”

DofE Leaders at Bridgwater and Taunton College Ellen and Alison noticed a “really big difference” in their students and pointed out “lots of them have done activities that they’ve never ever done before and it’s been absolutely fantastic to watch them achieve their goals”.

Ciara is most proud of seeing her students “giving things a go, even if they’re feeling a bit anxious and reserved about it”.

For the young people, “wicked” and “extraordinary” are just some of the words they’ve used to describe the experience and their DofE more generally.

Milly says: “I would describe DofE in one word… amazing!”

Read more about doing your Residential section here and understand the Residential Requirements.