News
Tuesday 13th December 2011
Our College Coordinator Caroline Hill recently received some fantastic feedback about our staff from a tutor at Ifield College. We are absolutely delighted that our support workers are supporting our clients and tenants so well at college and making such a positive impact.
"I found out today that you have a newsletter and would love to put a note in to say thank you to you for all your support and all the support staff that help clients at the classes please!
Without exception all the support staff I have seen this half term are absolutely brilliant! They are extremely respectful of their clients and are thoughtfully and patiently helping them progress and get the most out of each session. I don’t know all their names I’m afraid, but all deserve special mentions!!
If I could give an award though, it would be to the fun 'double act' of Trudy and Simon who support L and S in Art. They bring fun and enthusiasm to each class, which is infectious to all in the room. They approach each activity with a smile and get straight in and messy with paint and glue with their clients, who, with their support, produce lovely art work and experience a range of materials and art techniques .
Thank you so much to all the support staff that come to my classes, I really wouldn’t be able to teach without them!”
Friday 3rd June 2011
Following the investigation into the shocking abuse in a residential hospital which was broadcast on BBC’s Panorama on Tuesday 31st May, we would like to assure all families that we are extremely vigilant against abuse and that we continually strive to find new ways of approaching care for young people with autism and learning disabilities.
In response to the programme, we have arranged a ‘Working Party’ for 9th June which will be attended by all residential assistant managers, the Supported Living Manager, the General Manager and our Behavioural Support Specialist. During this meeting we will be looking into ways in which we can support our clients and tenants to express their concerns, particularly those who are most vulnerable or non-verbal.
In conjunction with Sue Kemp, our Training Manager and with the active involvement of Jane Turtle, our Behavioural Support Specialist, we will be setting up training for our more able clients and tenants, helping them to recognise any sign of abuse in their homes, whether it involves themselves or another resident. This training will ensure that they understand what to do if they have any concerns and it is hoped they will provide a voice for those who cannot express themselves verbally.
Even as the company expands, in many ways we retain the mindset of a small company. Sue Keshavarz (General Manager) visits our homes on a daily basis and the proprietor carries out monthly inspections to ensure high standards of care are maintained. All members of the management team know our clients and tenants very well. In comparison to many care businesses, we have a relatively low staff turnover and many of our employees have worked with us ever since we opened our first residential home in 1998. We also run our own in-house training programme so where it is identified that a staff member requires further training, we are able to provide this in a timely fashion.
We hope that relatives can rest secure in the knowledge that their loved ones are given the highest standard of care in a safe and friendly environment but in the event that a family member or a member of the public should have concerns, they can make a complaint via our complaints procedure (see left).