Better Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability

Quality Network Public Statements

8 residential homes of varying sizes for people with a learning disability, plus day care and therapies.

The service review

The review took place between February and June 2002. Five of the homes were looked at and six service users were visited.

The team consisted of two community nurses, a receptionist, the mother of a service user, a care assistant, a day care deputy and a trained nurse/training facilitator.

Findings. What was going well

• Generally, there was a good service for those people who could articulate their needs; they were more able to achieve such outcomes as choice and involvement.
• The services listened to families views and had recently set up a 3 monthly meeting with senior management to encourage this. Families were involved in decision-making.
• All service users have access to a local GP and consultant psychiatrist. Efforts were made to ensure people stayed healthy.
• People who did not communicate with speech were able to make their needs known through a variety of ways, often individual to themselves.
• There was evidence of respect for cultural differences, especially when preparing meals.
• There was evidence of good record keeping in some areas.
• Staff made efforts to involve people in activities although this was limited by staff availability.

What we need to improve

People without families, or links with friends or extended family, had no representation outside of service providers.

People who could not articulate their needs achieved less in the outcome areas.

There was evidence of assumption and undertaking a task for people due to time pressures on staff.

The current review system does not respond to individual needs.

Staff seemed aware of the benefits of a client centred approach but were unsure of how to implement it.

Co-Ordinator

Jane Armiger
309 Cressex Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4QG

01494 426922