LYNN'S MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Lynn Booth was so keen to give young adults with learning difficulties the opportunity to fulfil their potential and live independently that she set up her own residential learning facility in Mid Wales.

The Vyrnwy Academy in Llansantffraid, near Oswestry runs three-year courses promoting independent living skills and can accommodate up to five residents aged from 18 to 64, who have learning difficulties including autism and ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorders).

With a highly trained staff of 14, the Academy is one of the few facilities in the UK that specialises in one-to-one learning programmes specifically tailored to meet the needs of each resident. The facility is registered with the National Open College Network, which gives the residents nationally recognised accreditations for their achievements.

The Academy is also involved in a pilot social skills project for autistic people, which is run by the University of Wales, Newport.

Whilst teaching at special schools in Lancashire for 30 years, Lynn, 50, identified a gap in learning provision for young adults when their formal education ended. "At 18 or 19, everything seems to stop for people with learning difficulties," she explained. "I want to provide continuity of care and learning so that they have every opportunity to fulfil their potential."

Training and caring for residents with learning difficulties can be challenging and requires a dedicated and skilled staff team.

That's why, with support from the Welsh Assembly Government, 11 of the Academy's staff have achieved a Modern Apprenticeship with a National Vocational Qualification level three in promoting independent learning, with the remaining three now working towards the qualification.

In addition, Lynn has achieved a Modern Skills Diploma with an NVQ level four registered manager's award and is soon hoping to qualify as an NVQ assessor.

Her care manager, Carlo Ferri, 30, who joined the Academy as a care support worker when it opened, progressed from an NVQ level three to achieve a the NVQ level four registered manager's award and is now working towards the NVQ assessor qualification. Due to his impressive progress, he has been nominated for the Wales Care Award 2006 in the Registered Manager category.

Lynn's daughter Lucy, 24, the assistant manager, is also working towards a Modern Skills Diploma with an NVQ level four in management, which she will add to a degree.

The staff and management training programmes are being delivered by Powys Training for the Welsh Assembly Government's Department of Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DELLS).

"I aim to have the best trained staff in the country, providing far above minimum standards," said Lynn, who praised the support she has received from Powys Training. "All my staff are learning assistants who can assist with the learning programmes on a one-to-one basis."

Grenville Jackson, head of the Skills, Business and Employability Division of DELLS, said: "It is great to see a business that is totally focused on staff training and development to improve standards. We are committed to responding to the individual learning and training needs of employers and their staff and to deliver relevant support flexibly.

"Improving social care in Wales is a priority for the Welsh Assembly Government and Lynn demonstrates how better skills are cruciial to achieving this."

Training officer Janis Gwynn, of Powys Training, commended Lynn for her commitment to staff training and development and for sharing best practice with another residential care establishment as a mentor.