ourstory - home from home care · a person centred approach...

We are a family company

Twenty eight years ago, opening a care home did not

figure on my career path, or my wife Ann’s. Then our

daughter Laura was born, and we were told:

“She’s mentally handicapped, might live, might not –

we don’t really know and by the way, good luck…”.

Over the years, fighting to get the best for Laura has

given us an insight into the world of care. As parents

like us know, the system discriminates against people

with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, as

choice tends to be determined by the authorities, who

are invariably overspent. We were increasingly struck

by the lack of suitable facilities nationwide for adults,

finding them bleak, institutional and unwelcoming.

We formed Home from Home Care when we took a break from property restoration. We had attended a

seminar with the principal of Laura’s college, and his message was stark: “You need to think seriously about

where your children will go from here. There is very little out there for them. Like other parents before you, you

may find that the only solution is to create it yourselves…”

As parents, we feel a heavy responsibility to live up to

our ideals for the company. We believe that the quality

of each home is vital. It should be homely and non-

institutional, yet professionally managed to ensure

best practice and transparency. The uncompromising

layout and high-quality finishes reflect our belief that

residents respond positively to their surroundings.

Likewise, they respond to being supported by

motivated and well trained staff who, in turn, feel

valued by their exceptional working environment.

Are we ambitious? Yes. Our aim is to be the best care

home provider for its client group, and that over time

we should extend our range of services to be more

embracing.

And Laura? She has enjoyed being the centre of

attention at the opening of our homes, where she is

recognised as the catalyst that has made Home from

Home Care a reality.

OUR STORY

www.homefromhomecare.com

A person centred approach

At Home from Home Care, our fundamental aim is to provide a needs-led service to young people and adults

with a learning disability and complex behavioural support needs.

We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual by adopting a person centred approach that

fosters self awareness, personal growth and gives each person the strongest voice with regards to decision

making and lifestyle choices.

Our service aims to provide a supportive living environment that allows each individual to develop at their

own pace and make choices that fulfil personal dreams and aspirations.

Key values and objectives

• Everybody has the right to be treated with respect and is encouraged to express their individuality.

• Everybody is supported in a non-judgmental way based on the key principles of anti-discriminatory

practice.

• Everybody has a person centred plan that reflects their choices, dreams and aspirations.

• Each individual’s plan has meaningful and achievable goals.

• Self advocacy is actively encouraged to enable individuals to have a say in the running of their home and

their life.

• Each individual is supported to access local facilities and wider community resources in the spirit of social

inclusion.

• All staff members are valued, and central to the support and delivery of our service. They receive regular

training to ensure and maintain an exemplary standard of service

• A ‘whistle blower’s’ policy supports staff in following the procedures as set down by POVA (Protection Of

Vulnerable Adults).

• Our physical intervention policy is based on a behavioural support strategy accredited by BILD – SCIPr-UK.

• We work with all purchasers of our service in the spirit of partnership, openness and accountability.

• The individual knowledge of carers is recognised and their involvement actively encouraged in achieving

our objectives.

MISSION STATEMENT


OUR PHILOSOPHY

For us, the key word is yours, not ours

At Home From Home Care we provide a bespoke support package for every individual.

For too long, people with learning disabilities have been afforded services based on a subjective interpretation

of what we think they need, resulting in many being forced to live within a service environment that does not

reflect their hopes for the future.

This is especially so where individuals have a severe learning disability and attendant intensive support needs

or a moderate learning disability and difficult, sometimes anti-social, behaviour.

In these situations, young people are especially vulnerable. Many have seen much of their formative years

taken away from them by placements where an ill-considered mix of individuals, coupled with low-staffing

ratios, has created in-house activities largely inappropriate for young adults.

At Home From Home Care we adapt our services to meet the individual’s needs, hopes and aspirations. We

achieve this by listening to what carers and, more importantly, the residents want.

We offer residents the opportunity to live with like-minded individuals and enjoy the company and support of

staff with a wide range of skills, in a typical home environment based in the community but offering high levels

of support in a flexible manner.

With access to activities appropriate to their age group, our residents are able to enjoy wider community

resources like any other person. This enables carers to see their son or daughter given every opportunity to

achieve their full potential in a safe and supportive environment.

Most adults move out of the family home and into shared accommodation, and this is no different for some

people with learning disabilities who prefer to live with others from their peer group.

We believe this opportunity should be available to all of our residents as a stepping stone to greater

independence.

We continue to recognise that each person in our service is an individual. With that in mind, Home From

Home Care offers homes for small groups of people, and is developing more independent accommodation,

offering appropriate staffing ratios.


OUR SERVICE

We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of every individual

Our service is based on recognising and celebrating the uniqueness of every individual we support. It is

delivered using a series of plans which are personalised to meet the needs of the individuals we support.

These are ‘living’ documents which grow and develop with the person to ensure they constantly reflect their

current needs.

Individual Assessment

When an individual is referred to us, our first step is to undertake a free, in-depth assessment to determine if

we can meet their needs within our service.

Care Plan

Once the individual is happy with our service, we identify how we will meet their needs by developing a care

plan in partnership with them, their carers and the referring and purchasing bodies. This incorporates health,

independent living skills, personal safety, communication, equal opportunities and behaviour management.

Daily Support Plan

This is developed from the care plan and contains details of structured and unstructured time on a needs-led

basis. It covers vocational, occupational, recreational and educational elements. It may also include accessing

local college courses, work placements (voluntary or paid), gardening, home maintenance, home-based

learning such as NVQ qualifications or perhaps activities such as painting, sculpture and crafts.

Health Action Plan

The initial plan is developed at the same time as the daily support plan to ensure all the health needs of

individual are being addressed.

Person Centred Plan

Everybody will have a person centred plan that reflects their choices, dreams and aspirations, through

meaningful and achievable goals. To facilitate this, a ‘circle of support’ may be used to help them remain

central to the decision making process. This group should include anyone who has an important role in the

individual’s life; family, close friends and professionals, such as social workers and speech therapists. Their

varying degrees of knowledge about the individual ensures that objective decision-making is achieved which

reflects the person’s wishes.

Key Worker

Each individual has an assigned key worker who is ‘matched’ on the basis of shared interests and agreed

developmental objectives. Their role is to support the person to reach and maintain their goals.


OUR MANAGEMENT

A dynamic management team

Our management team oversees all aspects of home management, care and staff development. They are

staunch proponents of equal rights for people with a learning disability and have a high level of expertise

and depth of knowledge. Highly regarded in their field, they are particularly experienced in working for

people with a learning disability and additional intensive support needs. They are committed to fulfilling the

ethos of the company.

Home FromHomeCare Limitedwas founded in 2004 by two carers, Paul and Ann de Savary, with their son Hugo.

It was the difficulties that they encountered in supporting their daughter, Laura, in finding a suitable home

which encouraged them to undertake detailed research into this field. Recognising the lack of high quality

care, they developed their care concept of a stimulating environment where individuals could flourish. And

so Home From Home Care was born.

Paul (Managing Director), Ann (Company Secretary) and Hugo (Property Director) manage the business and

financial aspects of the company, and oversee the acquisition and renovation of new care homes. Their

dynamic approach has attracted qualified and experienced staff who recognise the opportunity this unique

venture offers to fulfil their own potential and aspirations, and those of the people they support.

Sally Raynor, Operations Director, has 20 years experience in the care field. She was area manager for

Learning Disabilities services in Boston, Lincolnshire, responsible for the implementation of Valuing People

principles and contract management of private service providers. She has a BA(Hons.) in psychology,

certificate and diploma in the Management of Health and Social Services. Sally is responsible for coordinating

and overseeing our current service provision, and for the development of future services.

Gail Maclachlan-Gray, Business Development Manager, has over 20 years experience in Learning

Disabilities with Social Services. Manager of Bourne SEC, she progressed to Area Manager for Stamford and

later Grantham. Responsible for implementing the Joint Investment Programme for Lincolnshire, she has a

Diploma in Management Studies and is a natural leader with a proven record of achievement founded on

comprehensive experience; she is responsible for developing the company’s services.

Nikki Willerton, Recruitment and Training Manager, has 16 years experience in Learning Disabilities and

Mental Health for both private and public sector. Progressing to Local Manager for Spalding Learning

Disabilities, she is a Registered Manger and a Person Centred Planning Facilitator. Now specialising in

recruitment and training, she is coordinating the company’s training and recruitment policies to maximise the

quality of service delivery and staff retention.

Mick Bell, Home Manager responsible for Assessments, has worked in Learning Disabilities for 15 years,

progressing from support worker to Home Manager. A Registered Manager (NVQ 4), a SCIPr instructor and

a Person Centred Planning Facilitator, he has trained with the Institute of Applied Behavioural Analysis, and

develops Performance Service Reviews, Full Functional Analysis and Positive Behavioural Programmes

throughout the service.


OUR STAFF

Investing in our care team

All new staff are registered with LDAF (Learning Disability Awards Framework) and undertake at least two

weeks of essential induction training prior to commencing work.

All staff undergo an enhanced disclosure check (includes checking against the POVA list) with the Criminal

Records Bureau to ensure their suitability to work with young people and vulnerable adults.

The essential training programme includes:

• An Introduction to Basic Care Practice

• Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA)

• Epilepsy and Autism Awareness Training

• Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIPr-UK)*

• Promoting Equality and Diversity

• Risk Assessment Training

• Advocacy

• Makaton and Communications Skill

• Person Centred Planning

• Medication Training, Report and Recording

Statutory training includes:

• First Aid

• Health and Safety

• Fire Safety

• Moving and Handling

• Basic Food Hygiene

Advanced Training

• IABA Positive Behavioural interventions

• SCIPr-UK Assessor Training

Additionally, our staff undertake all the modules required by the Induction and Foundation levels of LDAF

leading to NVQ Level 2/3. They are also expected to maintain up-to-date records of their training

achievements and, to ensure high standards are maintained, all staff undertake regular refresher training

courses.

Staff to service user ratios

Appropriate staffing levels are based on the outcome of a comprehensive and in-depth needs led

assessment of the individual. Overnight, at least one waking and one sleep-in staff member is available in

each home. A maintenance team is also available.

The Home Manager will normally be available from 9am to 5pm. A team leader, a senior support worker and

the appropriate number of additional support workers are present on each shift. In addition to this, there is

always a senior member of staff available on-call.

*SCIPr-UK is an accredited form of behavioural strategies for physical interventions.


An environment based on quality

We create harmonious environments by using exceptional

materials with attention to detail. We do not compromise

when we design and equip our homes, reflecting our

belief - and experience - that individuals respond to

quality surroundings and person centred care.

A Homely Atmosphere

We use natural materials and craftsman-made

products: solid oak doors, vibrant handmade ceramic

tiles and handcrafted timber kitchens. Blending the

original architectural style of each property with a

contemporary flavour creates a warm and homely

atmosphere that is non-institutional, and where the

spacious communal environment is balanced with

intimacy and privacy for each individual.

The Heart of the Home

The kitchen and dining room form the heart of each home. More than just an area for the residents and staff

to cook and eat together, we have created a communal space which encourages activity, communication

and integration.

Generous Living Space

Generous living accommodation and activity facilities

afford the individual an extensive and varied

environment in which to maximise their individuality.

These areas include living rooms, conservatories,

sensory rooms and activity rooms.

Personalised Bedrooms

Everybody has their own en-suite bedroom, which they

can personalise. Bedrooms designed for individuals

who use wheelchairs have wet rooms and ceiling-

based hoisting systems. Rooms can be adapted to

meet individuals requirements.

Accessible Locations

Location is an important factor when we create a new

home, as it is essential that individuals are able to

access village facilities.

OUR HOMES


OUR HOMES

The Old HallChapel Road, Fiskerton, Lincolnshire LN3 4HD

Tel: 01522 595395 Fax: 01522 750016

The Old Hall in the village of Fiskerton, north east of Lincoln, offers

1:1 care for seven individuals in the 18 to 65 year age group. Two

bedrooms have been designed for individuals who use wheelchairs.

This charming old farm house and outbuildings underwent total

refurbishment and welcomed its first residents in May 2005. A

purpose-built sensory room and activity room were added in

March 2006.

Fiskerton is a typical Lincolnshire village enjoying a wide range of

local amenities. It has easy access to the picturesque

Lincolnshire Wolds and the popular seaside resorts of Skegness,

Ingoldmells and Cleethorpes. The beautiful and historic cathedral

city of Lincoln is just a few miles away.

The Hawthorns53 Station Road, Bardney, Lincolnshire LN3 5UD

Tel: 01526 399868 Fax: 01526 399801

The Hawthorns is in the village of Bardney, east of Lincoln and

offers 1:1 care for six individuals in the 18 to 65 year age group.

Two bedrooms have been designed for individuals who use

wheelchairs.

This attractive, double-fronted, detached Victorian villa has a

large private garden, secluded from the road by mature trees

and shrubbery. Following extensive refurbishment, we welcomed

our first residents in November 2005.

Bardney offers all of the facilities typical of a medium sized

village. Like the Old Hall, it has easy access to the picturesque

Lincolnshire Wolds and the popular seaside resorts of Skegness,

Ingoldmells and Cleethorpes. The beautiful and historic cathedral

city of Lincoln is just a few miles away.


Cherry Tree Lodge34 Station Road, Ruskington, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 9DA

Tel: 01526 830803 Fax: 01526 830595

Cherry Tree Lodge is in the village of Ruskington and offers 1:1 care

for six individuals in the 18 to 65 year age group. Three bedrooms

have been designed for individuals who use wheelchairs.

This spacious Victorian house has undergone thoughtful

restoration and extensive refurbishment, including the creation

of sensory and activity rooms. The home welcomed its first

residents in August 2006.

Ruskington is a large village, two miles from the town of Sleaford.

The village has a wide range of amenities including a garden

centre, pubs, cafés, restaurants and hairdressers. Like the Old

Hall, it has easy access to the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds

and the popular seaside resorts of Skegness, Ingoldmells and

Cleethorpes. The beautiful and historic cathedral city of Lincoln is

just a few miles away.

The Old Vicarage48 Church Lane, Stallingborough, Grimsby DN41 8AA

Tel: 01472 882333 Fax: 01472 882891

The Old Vicarage in Stallingborough, North-East Lincolnshire

offers care for ten adults aged 18 – 65. This care is based on

individual assessments and includes 1:2 and 1:1 levels

appropriate to individual needs. Five bedrooms have been

designed for individuals who use wheelchairs.

This appealing old building, which stands in landscaped

grounds with a peaceful, rural outlook, opened in February

2007. The spacious accommodation includes sensory and

activity rooms, and four reception rooms.

The village offers a good range of local amenities, is close to

Grimsby and the M180 motorway. It also has easy access to the

picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds, the popular seaside resorts of

Cleethorpes and Bridlington and the city of Hull.

OUR HOMES


Kirk House2 Lincoln Road, Dorrington, Lincoln LN4 3PT

Tel: 01526 833569 Fax: 01526 833945

Kirk House, in the village of Dorrington, has been designed as

two homes, one with five and one with six bedrooms. All

bedrooms are ensuite and suitable for people who use

wheelchairs. Care is based on person centred assessments

appropriate to individual needs.

The original Victorian house has been extended and sits in

mature landscaped grounds and overlooks the countryside. It

opened in September 2007 following a major development

programme. Each home has its own kitchen, dining room and

lounge and a separate building incorporates a sensory room,

activity room and training suite. Three independent studio flats

will be available during 2008.

Dorrington has a local pub and provides easy access to

Ruskington and Sleaford, the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds

and the popular seaside resorts of Skegness, Ingoldmells and

Cleethorpes. The historic cathedral city of Lincoln is just a few

miles away.

OUR HOMES


ourstory - home from home care · a person centred approach...

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