Short Breaks gives adults with learning disabilities and/or autism a change from their daily routine and an opportunity to socialise in their community outside of their family home, whilst enabling their family carer to maintain their own health and well-being by providing a break from their caring responsibilities.

All bedrooms and guest communal spaces are designed to accommodate the increased activity zones needed by service users with learning disabilities and/or autism and their care workers and to meet the functionality requirements of people who use wheelchairs. Following best practice for the design of spaces for people with autism, the landscape design includes variations in the level of sensory stimulation with distinct zones, some designed to encourage social interaction, and others for privacy. A state-of-the art sensory room will be included, as well as facilities for care workers to support individuals.

To enable adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who meet the Council’s eligibility criteria for Adult Social Care (ASC) funding to have their need for overnight Short Breaks met in a modern, fit for purpose and future-proofed setting with all the necessary facilities and amenities. People who live in the area no longer need to travel to east/mid Surrey to access a Short Breaks service.

The new accommodation is for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism; they may also have physical disabilities.

There are five sites across Surrey including Emily Lodge which, now that it has opened, enables the Squirrels site in Banstead to be redeveloped to the same high standard, offering increased capacity across the whole of Surrey particularly for people with the most complex needs and challenging behaviours.

There are 8 ensuite bedrooms so we can accommodate a maximum of 8 people at any one time

Some people with a learning disability and/or autism may express themselves and/or communicate in ways that can be noisy. The development has been designed with this in mind and the building has additional sound insulation and extensive landscaped grounds, deliberately designed to offer private outdoor space. Screen planting and fencing create ‘buffer’ zones which help to maintain privacy and lower noise levels experienced both by the residents and their neighbours. It is most unlikely that the noise levels from Emily Lodge are any greater than was previously experienced when the site was occupied by a youth centre and outdoor games court.

The length of stay can vary depending on the needs of the individual, from a day / overnight to a week or more

No; the service users will not pose a risk to surrounding residents. The service is not intended for people with forensic needs or for people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system. The Short Breaks service is designed for adults with a learning disability and/or autism who currently live with family.

No; there will be no permanent residents and there will be no need for service users to register with local GP services or other healthcare providers.

The number of staff will vary over time as it is dependent on the exact needs of the service users

There are care workers on site but not on a “living in” basis; there will be teams of daytime and night-time care workers to support users of the service

The gardens will be looked after by an estate manager and users of the service will be encouraged to participate, should they wish to do so.

This site was chosen for its seclusion and its close proximity to local facilities including shops, leisure and public transport

No. A flood risk assessment has been carried out and the landscaping has been designed to include a Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SUDS) which, with the increase in planting, will mitigate against any flooding risk.

No – the building has deliberately been set out in a manner such that no neighbouring homes will be overlooked.

The grounds of Emily Lodge are designed to maintain and enhance wildlife. New bug hotels, bird and bat boxes and native planting all serve to encourage protected species and promote biodiversity

Yes; the property is registered at the Land Registry with “title absolute” and the owner is Surrey County Council

No; prior to completion SCC undertook title searches and confirmed that there were no restrictive covenants in place on this site. 

The building is staffed 24/7 and appropriate security measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of service users and care workers.

There are six parking spaces including two visitor bays and two parking bays for people with disabilities, one of which will be a drop-off bay. In addition visitors can park nearby in Goldsworth Park centre which is only a couple of minutes’ walk from the site.

Yes; all parking spaces on the site are equipped with electric vehicle charging points and at least two will be fast-charge points

The building is an all-electric for heating and hot water and use the latest energy saving technology including power generated by air source heat pumps and solar/photovoltaic panels. Where possible energy saving appliances, devices and equipment have been installed.

The building is a single storey building of 4.5-5m; it replaces a taller two-storey building and is therefore less visible than its predecessor.

The landscape has been designed to retain as many trees and hedges as possible. Any trees removed will be replaced and we are planning to improve on the current levels of biodiversity with new native planting to encourage wildlife.