Better Outcomes for People with a Learning Disability


Quality Network Public Statements

   
Organisation Surrey County Council
Type Local Authority
Services included Adult Services
Contact name Nicholas Grealy
Tel. 01483 494900
Email  
Public Statement 1999  2002    

Our Services
Adult Services in Surrey currently provides Community based Residential Services for 126 people who have a Learning Disability. We have seven residential homes within the Surrey County boundary, which consist of a mixture of individual, six to eight bedded houses or larger buildings with individual units. All of the people who use are services are adult, 19+ and have a range of Learning Disabilities, Some in addition also have a mixture of physical and or sensory needs and who have challenging behaviour.

The Service Review 1999
The review was conducted from October, 1998 to February, 1999 and included five of the seven homes in Banstead, Camberley, Cobham, Guildford and Ottershaw. Members of the review team spent time visiting ten people (two per home),

The review team members included
• Nicholas Grealy, Adult Services Manager
• Chris Mahoney, Service manager
• Jane Gatfield, Service User
• Paul Woodham, Service User
• Lesley Williams, RSW, supporter to service user
• Andrew Pattison, RSW, supporter to service user
• Sheila Coulson, Assistant Team Manager
• Denise Parker-Dodson, Assistant Team Manager
Cassie Anderson, Parent/Carer
• Peggy Hirst, Parent/Carer
• Davis Sanassy, RSW

Findings - What was going well

Most people make lots of choices
Most people feel respected
People do more useful and interesting things at home.
People are encouraged to have friends and relationships.
• Lots of people want jobs.
• Some people feel they can move on.
• People choose holidays.
• Families feel listened to, moans and groans acted on
• People feel safe in their homes,
• People are encouraged to complain.
• People get regular health cheeks
• People get help with healthy diets.

Things we need to work on:

• Less choice at day centres.
• Less staff at the weekends.
• Some people have been badly treated in the past.
• Home days are increasing people's dissatisfaction with day centres
• People’s lost relationships.
• People don't have many friends.
• Some people don't know their community,
• Most people don't have jobs.
• People may need more help getting over past abuse.
• Doctors’ attitudes - GP and Hospital

Summary

The service review has enabled us to look positively and constructively at what we do well, but more importantly has identified areas for improvement and will assist us in monitoring and reviewing, on a regular basis. All of which will aid us as we face both current and future challenges as an Authority and service. The Quality Network experience has not only benefited the participants but is helping to inform the wider service of Adult Services in Surrey, We intend to remain with the Network and to review the service in March 2000,

Further Information
For further information please contact either
Nicholas Grealy, Adult Service Manager on 01483 494900, or
Chris Mahoney, Service Manager on 01932 872740 (24 hour ansaphone and fax)

 


 
Service Review 2002

Adult and Community Services in Surrey currently provides Community based residential services for 165 people who have a Learning Disability in long term care and 145 people in short term care (Respite). We have seven residential homes within the Surrey County boundary, two of which are owned by the Kingston YMCA, for which we supply the support. These homes consist of a mixture of individual, six to eight bedded houses or larger buildings with individual units and we supply outreach support to 17 people who live in a range of independent and semi-independent homes. All of the people who use our services are adults of 18+ and have a range of Learning Disabilities, in addition some also have a mixture of physical needs, sensory needs or challenging behaviour.

The Service Review

The review, our third, was conducted from January 2002 to April 2002 and included five of the seven homes in Banstead, Camberley, Cobham, Guildford and Ottershaw. Members of the review team spent time visiting a total of twelve people.

The review team members included

Nicholas Grealy, Adult Services Manager; Chris Mahoney, Service Manager; Carole Gardner, Team Manager, Langdown; Mandy Saunders, Service User; Penny Dobson, Assistant Team Manager, Langdown; Edith Betchley, Service User; Simon Hales, RSWB, Arundel; Dot Botting, RSWB, Arundel; Mr & Mrs Morris, Parents of Service User; Jane Gatfield, Service User; Kay Lunn, RSWC, Badgers Wood; Claire Chapman, RSWB, Coveham; Andrew Paddick, RSWB, Coveham; Len Baker, Parent of Service User; Jill Gafford, Service User; Daphne Mann, RSWB, Mallow Crescent; Jim Ward, RSWB, Mallow Crescent; Tracey Harvey, RSWB, Mallow Crescent.

Findings - What was going well?

  • People are encouraged to have friends and relationships and are encouraged to see their families regularly.
  • People are beginning to choose who they want to live with and spend time with.
  • Some people are becoming a real part of their local community.
  • Some people are pursuing individual interests.
  • Staff respect people’s individuality and own space.
  • People are able to make lots of everyday choices within their homes/service.
  • People are able to do more useful and interesting things of their choice.
  • Some people feel they can move on.
  • One person no longer attends Day Services - now in paid employment.
  • People are able to choose holidays.
  • People get regular health checks and help with healthy diets (visual menus).

Things we need to work on:

  • Some people need more individual support to have friendships or relationships with other people.
  • Need to encourage more interaction between the various residential houses.
  • Some people need more support to access and become part of their local community and wider community.
  • Need to cut down length of time spent on transport and to value people’s time.
  • Need to develop more possibilities for older residents.
  • Need to think about presentation of choices to encourage those who are not making any.
  • Need to encourage supportive family involvement & communication.


Summary

The service review, our third, has enabled us to look positively and constructively at what we do well, but more importantly has identified areas for improvement and will assist us in monitoring and reviewing, on a regular basis. All of which will aid us as we face both current and future challenges as an Authority and Service in line with the National Care Standards Commission and the Government White Paper – ‘Valuing People’. The Quality Network experience has not only benefited the participants but is helping to inform the wider service of Adult and Community Services in Surrey. We intend to remain with the Network and to review the Service Action Plan in the autumn of 2002.


For further information please contact:

Chris Mahoney, Team Manager of Badgers Wood on 01932 872593.