Young Epilepsy's annual review looks at the range of work we have carried out over the course of the year. It explains how donations, contracts and fundraising activities have helped pay for our services.
Our wonderful supporters and committed staff have worked tirelessly to positively and directly impact the lives of many thousands of those young people.
Together we have:
- Achieved the highest possible ratings from OFSTED and CQC for our residential services.
- Trained 1,740 healthcare professionals on epilepsy treatments, medication and impact on learning and behaviour.
- Delivered epilepsy awareness training to over 180 school staff and 2,500 children to raise awareness, fight stigma and keep young people with epilepsy safe.
- Launched a drive at the House of Commons to ensure the 112,000 young people with epilepsy, in the UK, get better support as a result of the new Children and Families Act.
- Opened our specialist on-site education and support services to 211 children and young people, and created more facilities for students with highly complex needs.
The Young Epilepsy Annual Report 2013/14 highlights our achievements and plans across seven key objectives:
- Specialist Education and Services: We provide excellent education, residential, and health services at St Piers School and College, focusing on holistic care. Our residential services are tailored to individual needs, and we have improved facilities, including sensory classrooms and therapy hubs. Employment opportunities for students have expanded through work placements and partnerships.
- Advocacy and Awareness: We champion childhood epilepsy by raising awareness, providing information, and campaigning for better support. The Children and Families Act 2014 was a major focus, ensuring pupils with epilepsy receive proper care. We launched the Manifesto for Change and collaborated on initiatives like the BBC documentary and university outreach programs.
- Research: We lead pioneering research to improve understanding and treatment of epilepsy. Projects include studies on epilepsy in infancy, genetics, surgery, and the ketogenic diet. The CHESS study revealed that 95% of children with epilepsy face learning or behavioural challenges, driving our advocacy for better school support.
- Health Expertise: We deliver world-class diagnostic, assessment, and rehabilitation services. Our Care Quality Commission report rated us highly across all criteria. Partnerships with clinical organizations enhance our services, and we are developing an integrated epilepsy care pathway.
- Financial Security: We operate efficiently, reducing costs by £850k while maintaining service quality. Fundraising efforts, including the £10m campaign for the new School and Education Resource Centre, have been highly successful. We also revamped outdoor learning spaces and launched community appeals.
- Workforce Development: Our staff are highly skilled and committed to supporting students. We introduced new training programs, career development opportunities, and a Positive Behaviour Support Strategy to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Recruitment and retention remain priorities.
- Infrastructure and Facilities: We are investing in cutting-edge facilities to meet diverse student needs. The new School and Education Resource Centre, opening in 2016, will feature sensory spaces, a hydrotherapy pool, and outdoor activity areas. Residential housing and farm facilities have been upgraded to support vocational learning.
Our mission is to create better futures for young lives with epilepsy and associated conditions through education, advocacy, research, health services, financial stability, workforce excellence, and infrastructure development.
