Coombe House, Coombe House School, Coombe House Farm and Coombe House Leisure are trading names for Dorset Centre of Excellence Ltd, a company that was founded in June 2021.
Dorset Centre of Excellence Ltd is an independent limited company, wholly owned by Dorset Council (a Local Authority Trading Company), established to provide high-quality and high-value services to children and young people, and the professionals that support them.
Coombe House is governed by a Board of Directors, chaired by Ian Comfort, and operates independently of Dorset Council.
The Board of Directors reports to the Dorset Council Shareholder Committee quarterly and records of these meetings are published on the Dorset Council website.
Coombe House is led by Andy Holder, Managing Director, who has an extensive history within special education and children’s services, who is supported by an experienced group of executive and senior leaders.
As we have grown and developed at Coombe House, we’ve worked hard to articulate what makes us special. We want each member of our team to understand how they are making a difference and why they do what they do; to understand our collective sense of purpose.
Society is facing many challenges, the education system is not meeting the needs of all children, more families are struggling, mental and physical health is in decline, and our communities seem less connected. At Coombe House, our work will seek to find solutions for some of these challenges, to find new and better ways to be, that will directly help those we work with, but also with the aim of positively impacting society. Our impact will go beyond our boundaries.
Our core values, which guide our decision-making are described below:
A belief that to accept others, without judgement, whatever their individual circumstances or starting points is fundamental to bringing positive change; that curiosity is a powerful tool to develop empathy and understanding; to seek to make a positive difference in the lives of others; to be kind.
A belief that a sense of belonging with people and places is fundamental to achieving a happy and fulfilled life; an emphasis on the power of connection and community to our overall wellness and fulfilment; safety (in all its meanings) and the power of relationships.
A belief that anyone, whatever their background, needs, or circumstance can be empowered to make a positive change in their own lives and within society; by understanding the latest research and embracing innovation to understanding how people learn and develop, we can make the most difference.
