Better Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability


Quality Network Public Statements

 

 

Organisation

South Birmingham PCT

Type

 

Services included

Supported Living Services

Contact name

Martin Ayres

Tel.

0121 255 8032

Email

Martin.ayres@southbirminghampct.nhs.uk

Public Statement

2004

 

 

 

 

Service Review 2004

What kind of services we provide

The Supported Living Outreach team (SLOT), from South Birmingham PCT, work with individuals with a learning disability and severe challenging behaviour/ forensic need. The team work in partnership with housing and care providers to set up individually tailored supported living / outreach support to enable these individuals to remain active members within their local community and prevent hospitalisation.  The team provides a citywide service and provides assistance to enable individuals to remain within their local communities or return to their local communities from out of county placements.

SLOT's vision for the future is to increase the number of organisations providing housing and support for learning disabled individuals with severe challenging behaviour / forensic needs. By developing good partnerships with housing and care providers it enables us to develop a person centred robust service to meet the needs of each individual in a non-aversive way. This will enable those individuals to lead a full and active life in their local community, contributing to that community and being valued for their contribution.

By developing a range of specialised services it is hoped that out of county placements become a thing of the past as more specialised local services are developed.

 THE SERVICE REVIEW

When the review happened

 The review of services took place between 25th May and 20th September 2004.

 Which services the review looked at

The review focused on some of the schemes directly managed by SLOT and also schemes set up in partnership with Future Home Care and Support. The review looked at all aspects of the care, support and activities of a number of tenants in our supported living schemes. In all, 7 tenants were visited both in, and out, of their homes by members of the review team.

 Who took part in the team

 

Each of the people named below visited one of the 7 tenants:

Mrs Henry              - relative of prospective tenant
Stasia Taylor          - prospective tenant
Claire Smith           - Clinical Team leader (SLOT)
Dave Lovage          - Clinical Team Leader (SLOT)
Patricia Miller        - Project manager (Future Home Care and Support)
Julia Murphy          - Clinical Team Leader (SLOT)
Samantha Turton   - Student nurse

Our thanks are extended to all the tenants who allowed the review team to spend time in their homes and lives; the support staff in the services reviewed; the members of the review team; and the two Quality Coaches, Rachel Raymond and Jill Selby.

 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

 What was going well for people visited

 The services provided by the Future Home Care and Support and the Supported Living Outreach Team were respectful of the individual men and women, their homes and personal possessions.

 The determination and commitment shown by staff teams to take risks and help tenants gain an 'ordinary life' within their local community is a major achievement. Particularly given as some professionals outside of the service felt this would not be possible given some tenants severe reputation.

 All tenants are encouraged by staff to make everyday choices. Able tenants freely make choices about all aspects of their lives and have financial control of their monies. Staff are observant and use their relationship with individual men and women who have little or no communication, to understand their preferences and wishes.

 Both organisations commitment to ensuring each tenant has a person centred plan and that circles of support meet on a regular basis ensures that each tenant is listened too and that their wishes and aspirations were reflected in their Individual Support Plans.

 The home in which each tenant lives has been chosen by either the tenant themselves or their families. One of the strongest messages received from the people being supported is that they wanted to live close to their families (having spent the greater part of their lives apart!). The communities in which the tenants live are welcoming, accepting and rich in community facilities. Through frequent use of local facilities, tenants are becoming well established and known within their local communities. 

Some Families have re-established links with tenants once they moved into their new homes. Some teams have had to act as bridge builders and helped to restore contact without it becoming too overpowering for all parties. 

Staff teams actively encouraged and supported relatives to maintain regular contact and involvement in the life of the tenant.

Mutual trust and respect has been established between staff and the individual whom they support. Tenants feel safe, secure and relaxed in their home and in the community.

Significant improvements in the general health and welfare of each tenant was noted as a direct result of staff awareness and commitment to ensuring each tenant receives good quality healthcare from a range of professionals.

 

What we need to improve

The housing web needs to reflect on its negative experience of shared living arrangements and use this information to highlight this to other potential referrers to our service who sometimes insist on people being placed together.  It is important we adhere to our service philosophy of enabling people to live the life they chose by re-designing services in accordance with what we hear our tenants say and do.

Increase staff confidence in supporting people in taking more risks to enable some tenants to lead more active lives within their own communities. Training, along with appropriate guidance and support, will be offered to staff identified as lacking confidence in supporting certain individuals.

Assess the needs and skills of tenants who want jobs and find out about the range of options available. Services need to regard paid work as an option for the majority of people being supported, regardless of their level of ability.

Help our tenants develop meaningful relationships with people other than their families and staff teams, particularly with other non disabled people. Services need to capitalise on the range of social contacts and networks which tenants are establishing in their local community. Training will be provided to staff aimed at developing and strengthening social networks.

Develop a complaints procedure which is easily accessible to tenants of all abilities. 

Ensure less able tenants play a more active part in the selection of their properties and furnishings, and in the recruitment and selection of support staff. This will ensure that staff chosen are reflective of the needs of the person.

Ensure mechanisms are in place to prevent Person Centred Plans becoming paper exercises and remain active reflections of people's lives that continue to evolve and change. Staff to receive training on auditing person centred plans.

For more information, contact:

Martin Ayres

Senior  clinical nurse manager

The Greenfields

Monyhull Hall Rd

Kings Norton

Birmingham

B30 3QQ

 

Phone no: 0121 255 8032

Fax no: 0121 255 8010

E mail: martin.ayres@southbirminghampct.nhs.uk