Better Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability

Quality Network Public Statements

Kensington & Chelsea Mencap works towards enabling people with learning disabilities lead full and active lives in their community. We run the following services:

Supported Housing 1 registered care home for seven adults.

1 shared house for four tenants and 1 support tenant.
8 independent flats for thirteen tenants, including one flat for three younger tenants and support tenant

Moving-On Develops work experience projects and supports members to find training / education and life chances

Social Activities Offers a wide range of leisure activities for people with learning disabilities

Partners Offers 1: 1 befriending, affording the opportunity to people with Learning Disabilities to access mainstream facilities in the wider community.

Volunteers Offers volunteering opportunities in all of areas of our operations.

Kensington & Chelsea Mencap also offers information and advice to people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.

The Review of Housing Services.

The review happened between 8" February and 15^th March 1999. Its purpose was to assess the quality of life for tenants living in Kensington &Chelsea Mencap properties.

The review looked at the registered home, Westgate Terrace, SW10 and the shared house, Stoneleigh St, W10.

Four tenants were visited three or four times during the review by tenants and staff from other housing and learning disability services in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The visits took place at different times of the week and in differing venues.

One Kensington & Chelsea Mencap tenant and 3 members of staff took part in teams that visited tenants in other services.

Ten areas of the tenants’ lives were evaluated. These covered.

• Choice
• Respect
• Everyday Activities
• Friendships
• My Community
• Work
• Decisions
• Family
• Harassment & Abuse
• Health

Findings

what was going well for people visited?

• People who use our housing services are offered.

• Support and encouragement to make real life

• Empowerment to make decisions around their immediate and longer term futures.

• A high degree of respect and & dignity

• A good access to ordinary local services.

What we need to improve

• Exploring ways to support users to establish a range of relationships and friendships, other than those with people in the house and in a paid role.

• Seek wider opportunities for users to access activities that are not just for people with learning disabilities

• Develop a more systematic approach to the health needs of users.
  Clarify the position on the involvement of families.

For more information, contact;

Toyin Ogefere, Deputy Services Manager (Housing)
Kensington & Chelsea Mencap
73 St Charles Square.
Ladbroke Grove
Tel: 0181 964 5444 Fax: 0181 968 0281
Email: kcmencap@ compuserve.com

July 1999