As an organisation, we have a long history of working with individuals with a forensic history, particularly those on S37/41 of the Mental Health Act 1983. We understand the complexities and legalities involved in their placement within the community. We risk assess and ensure that we work in a way that promotes independence, with ongoing monitoring and management of the risks identified.
We have supported conditionally discharged individuals from secure units or prison into our 24hrs enhanced supported living schemes. With skillful support from our team, working closely with the forensic outreach service, probation services, and other clinical services we have enabled some to move into their own homes in the community. For many individuals with a forensic
history, they may be suspicious of health and social care professionals and when discharged into the community, they reluctantly engage with services. We have demonstrated that we genuinely care about their health and well being. Hence, our team has developed excellent working relationships and good communication with all our past and current forensic clients.
We also work with individuals who have mental health problems, behavior that challenges and substance misuse history.
Aside from providing care and support within the units as noted above, we also provide services in a person’s own home or in a home like environment. Our Supported Living units, are maintained to a very high standard. All of our schemes undergo
complete refurbishment on a two-yearly basis or sooner if there is a need.
We can offer services to individuals who need support with:
Personal Care:
- Supervision and assistance with personal hygiene, bathing and feeding
- Supervision & administration of medication
Training being offered – Life skills:
- Budgeting for food, bills, clothing, recreation etc
- Cooking and baking
- Preparing shopping list, and going shopping for groceries
- Cleaning & maintaining bedrooms and communal areas
- Accessing recreational & educational facilities
- Laundering & ironing clothing and bedding etc
- Maintaining socially acceptable levels of personal hygiene
Assistance with benefits/bills/financial management/ tenancies:
- Accessing relevant welfare benefits entitlements
- Filling out forms etc
- Maintaining their tenancies
- Ensuring rent and other bills, debts etc are paid
- Opening up a savings account
Liaising with other relevant agencies:
- Accessing training, education & employment opportunities
- Accessing specialist drugs, alcohol and counselling services
- Registering with GPs, Dentist, and Opticians etc.
- Arranging and attending appointments
- Liaising with social workers, care co-ordinators representatives and other clinicians
- Liaising with Benefits Agency etc
- Health & Safety advice
- Monitoring physical health & diet
- Health & safety training in the kitchen and home
- Fire safety training
- Safe food hygiene and storage
- Building security & controlling access to building & individual bedrooms
Other Support:
- Monitoring & supervising compliance with medication
- Emotional difficulties (informal counselling)
- Befriending service
- Resettlement & preparation for move on accommodation
- Organising social events & holidays
- Religious and cultural observances
- Maintaining contact with family and friends
- Dealing with disputes with neighbors or other tenants
- Complying with terms of the tenancy
- All tenants are encouraged to personalise their rooms by gradually buying items which they will take if and when they move on.
- The decor and furnishings have been skillfully chosen with the aid of an interior designer. The principal of colour theory is used throughout. Thereby colours are used to directly influence positive feelings of well-being of each of our client. The accommodation is maintained to a very high standard. All four of our schemes undergo complete refurbishment every 4-5 years.
Staffing:
- All staff have undergone comprehensive training to meet the varying demands of our clients.
- They are trained to deal with individuals with challenging behavior and complex needs.
- Our staff attend a wide range of training courses on a yearly basis with the aim of supporting them with working effectively with our clients.
- Our 24hrs accommodation has staff on-site all day and there is an additional support of a sleep in staff available during the night.
- Our semi-independent schemes are visited by outreach staff between the hours of 9.00 am to 8.00 m on a daily basis.
Out of Hours Service:
Tenants in all our schemes can contact a member staff for assistance during the night. On-call staff is also available to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the above are mainly covered by the management team.