Introduction

No. 22 Residential Care Home

No. 22 Residential Care Home is a 2 storey detached building. The building is part of a modern development retaining many original features. The home is situated in a quiet residential road facing Streatham common, off the A23 Streatham High road. The Home is on the ground and basement floors of a large detached house. The home caters for up to 6 men and women with mental health and other related health problems.

The home provides short-term rehabilitation or long term care and support for individuals who require its specialist services. The aim of the home is to offer a stable environment for people who have a history of recurring hospital admissions. The care we provide is structured in order to promote the development of realistic independence by providing high quality accommodation and support and encouraging service users to see No. 22 Residential Care Home as their home with all the benefits and expectations this arouses.

No. 22 Residential Care Home aims to satisfy the demand to provide continuous aftercare in the community for individuals with mental health problems and their complex needs. To this end, we aim to provide a 24hour low to medium supported care home for the continual rehabilitation of men and women discharged from psychiatric hospital, medium secure units or special hospitals to independent living in the wider community, and to resume their usual level of functioning for normal and appropriate risk taking, to ensure privacy, dignity, independence, choice, rights and fulfilling lives.

Improving the quality of life of individual service user and minimising the risk posted to themselves and to others whilst living in the community is central to all that we do here at No. 22 Residential Care Home.

In compliance with regulation 8 of the care standards Act 2000, it is our intention to regularly review our statement of purpose.

• FACILITIES AND SERVICES

No. 22 Residential Care Home is a spacious and attractive Care Home. All the facilities meet the regulation laid out in the Care Standards Act 2000.

• Accommodation

1. 6 single bedrooms including 1 En-suite, all with wash hand basins, 2 communal toilets a bathroom and a shower room.
2. All the rooms are furnished with modern furniture, good lighting, laminated floor and centrally heated.
3. The service user will be the only person to have access to his/her bedroom, however staff may need to enter on the following grounds:
   1. In event of emergency
   2. For health and safety reasons
   3. If they have the service user’s permission

The lounge (situated in the basement) is fully furnished with a TV, a video and a stereo. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances. There is a tea bar in the basement for service users to prepare snacks and make tea.

Service users living at N0.22 Residential Care Home are encouraged to be as independent as possible. Service users and staff are treated and respected as individuals. Service users are supported in making informed decisions and choices about their individual preferential lifestyles.

The Home offers a safe comfortable homely environment where service users begin to build confidence and self esteem that enable them to reintegrate back into the community after periods of hospital care. As well as getting to know other service users, individual service users are encouraged to meet people by getting involved in different activities in the local community, either attending day centres, colleges, gyms or by being assisted to find work or work experience. Staffs are to help service users to organise these.

Staffs also assists with other issues such as:

1. Medication management and compliance
2. Physical health needs
3. Monitoring and managing substance misuse problems
4. Daily living skills, such as attending to personal hygiene, shopping, cooking, budgeting etc.

• LIVING AT No. 22 RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME

All service users are encouraged to engage in external activities and help is given in referrals to local community centres, libraries, or voluntary occupation in local charity shops.

All service users have single bedrooms and share facilities such as the lounge and kitchen with other service users in the home. Services users are encouraged to clean their rooms in line with rehabilitation programme. There is no time limit on length of stay; Service users are supported in moving on to more independent and less intensively supported accommodation when this is agreed and arranged by the service user’s local team.

During times of acute crisis, it may be necessary to arrange for service users to be admitted to hospital.

• COOKING

Service users are provided with breakfast, lunch, tea and supper. Service users have a choice of 3 different menus. Through our rehabilitation programme service users are encouraged to prepare meals with staff supervision.

• LAUNDRY FACILITIES

1 industrial washing machine and 1 industrial tumble dryer (in the basement) are available for use by service users. Under our rehabilitation programme service users do their own laundry with staff supervision.

• PERSONAL CARE

The home operates a key worker system. Assistance is given with personal hygiene, dressing and bathing. With the rehabilitation programme, service users are encouraged and assisted with their personal care.

• CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

N0.22 Residential Care Home will endeavour to meet the needs of service users who require specific cultural dietary or religious need. The Home strives to ensure that service users are given every opportunity to continue to follow their individual culture and chosen religions and it offers them the opportunity to do so both inside and outside the home .If there are any particular aspects of service users’ culture or religion that they do not feel are represented in the home key workers are ready to offer assistance.

• VISITING

Visitors are welcome to visit service users at the home, but they must remain in the communal areas and must leave the home no later than 10.00 p.m. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight.

Service users are encouraged to invite friends and family to eat with them. However, they are advised to give the home at least two days’ notice so that the cooks could prepare for this. There will be a small charge for this service.

• PETS

For health & Safety reasons service users are not allowed to keep pets in N0.22 Residential Care Home.

• OUTINGS

Service users are encouraged to organise their own outings, if appropriate. The management of No. 22 Residential Care Home organises group outings once or twice annually. Service users are given a choice of an “Away-Week-end” and a day’s outing to the seaside.

• SMOKING

Service users are NOT allowed to smoke inside the home (government legislation). However, they are allowed to smoke in a designated smoking area just outside the home.

• YOUR RIGHTS

1. As a service user of No. 22 Residential Care Home you have the right to:
2. Privacy and respect. We will not enter your room without your permission unless we feel there is a serious emergency that warrants this.
3. Be addressed by your preferred name. i.e. Mr, Miss, Mrs, or by your first name or any nickname of your choice. You could expect staff to speak to you in a manner which promotes understanding and respect.
4. A peaceful and safe environment
5. Leisure, training and educational pursuits
6. Freedom from fear of verbal or physical abuse
7. Freedom from harassment on the grounds of race, gender, sexuality, religion, culture, age or disability
8. The protection of your licence agreement and its objective implementation in line with understood procedures
9. To be consulted in all aspects of your care and issues affecting the home
10. Appeal against a decision and have the right to independent representation
11. Make a complaint without fear of reprisal
12. Do anything not prohibited by law or your licence agreement
13. Expect that your civil rights and liberties will not be infringed upon in any way

• SERVICE USERS’ HOUSE MEETINGS

There would be a service users’ meeting once a month to discuss menus and other issues associated with the management of the home. Minutes will be taken and service users are encouraged to contribute to the meetings and adhere to the basic house rules for the comfort of all.

The meeting would usually held in the basement. All service users are strongly encouraged to attend. This is your forum to discuss issues about the home.

• THE STAFF

The home is staffed 24 hours a day. The staff work shifts are as follows

The manager is on duty Monday –Friday 9am –5pm

The home has the following staff

The staff have a wide range of experience and skills built up over many years of working in supportive environments.

Presently, we have three support workers who are qualified at NVQL-2, 4 senior support workers who are also qualified at NVQL-3. All the staff receive regular training to help them update and upgrade their knowledge within the field.

• ORGANISATIONAL CHART

• REFFERAL PROCEDURE, CRITERIA AND PROCESS

Service users may be admitted on either a long (without limit of time) or short-term basis, or for a period of assessment with a written report and recommendations.

The fee for each service user is determined individually after the assessment of personal requirements. Once the fee is set, there are no extras unless additional services or staffing hours are commissioned due to changes in need. This would only be done after a full consultation and agreement with the funding authority or the locality team. All fees are payable one month in advance upon invoice.

Referrals must be made in writing for the prospective service user by a social worker or representative of the funding authority or purchaser.

Referrals must include the following information:

• Medical history and any physical disabilities of the prospective service user
• Psychiatric history including diagnosis and treatment received
• Offending behaviour or forensic history stating any violent or anti-social behaviour that did and or did not give a rise to criminal proceedings
• Social circumstances report stating any particular person that may be considered as being at risk (i.e. family member, ex-partner)
• History of illicit substance misuse and alcohol abuse
• Mental Health Act status and any expected changes, if applicable
• A clear indication of multi-disciplinary care plans for the prospective service user including minutes and summaries of previous section 117 meetings, CPA`s case conferences and ongoing treatment and therapies
• Conditions of discharge
• A comprehensive list to include relevant contact details for all those retaining responsibility for the service user post discharge, including emergency and out of hour contacts
• Clear information regarding identifiable risk factors or precipitating factors, ad of any behaviour liable to give rise for concern or of which responsible agencies would wish to be informed
• Early warning signs of relapse and information on risk management plans or strategies
• Where applicable, a copy of the conditions attached to a conditional discharge under section 37/41 of the Mental Health Act 1983
• A supporting psychiatric report from the Responsible Medical Officer (R.M.O) to include medication and proposed treatment arrangements in the community
• Information on significant contact details
• Information on the prospective service users’ level of motivation, strengths and areas of limited ability where more support may be required
• The individual’s preferences and special needs or specific cultural requirements together with any recreational activities enjoyed
• A statement to indicate what is hoped to be achieved through a period at N0.22 Residential Care Home from the referrer of the prospective service user’s perspective.
• An indication of daytime activities in which the service user is involved that can be supported in the community
• A clear indication of organisation or individual professional that will maintain ongoing statutory responsibility for the prospective service user.
• Trial period shall last for a period of four to six weeks
• When a service user is required to leave N0.22 Residential Care Home, it is expected that the funding authority with statutory responsibility will ensure that alternative facilities are made available.
• 22 Residential Care Home endeavours to ensure a thorough assessment is undertaken on each referral to facilitate a successful placement in the community.
• In order to expedite the referral and admission process the following criteria MUST be met:-
• The referral authority must ensure that the referral meets eligibility criteria in order to be considered for residence at No. 22 Residential Care Home
• We require access for information from Medical, social work, psychologist, nursing and occupational therapy by ways of reports. We would further like the opportunity to meet with professionals working with the person referred.
• 22 Residential Care Home MUST receive a written confirmation of funding for the service user at the home from the responsible home authority. This includes funding for trial stay periods.
• There must be regular contact and structured communication between the N0.22 Residential Care Home management team and the referring care team or multi-disciplinary team
• All aspects of responsibility for admission to hospital must be identified and guaranteed in the event of relapse.

• N0.22 Residential Care Home will offer the following to all service users: –

1. An individual key worker assigned to each service user.
2. A care manager to ensure the smooth operation and running of the home
3. Accurate record keeping on all service users
4. Continuous partnership between service user and his/her care co-ordinator.
5. Three monthly review meetings involving member(s) from the service user funding authority
6. Regular house meetings
7. Support to service users to learn new skills or acquire qualification through outside agencies, colleges and appropriate work places
8. Preparation of meals by staff with assistance from service users

• MEDICATION

We have a legal responsibility to be aware of any medication you are taking. If you are able to look after and take your medication on your own then we encourage this. However please inform your key workers of what your current medication and how often you are required to take it. If your medication should change please inform us so that we could update our records.

Any medication that you look after yourself must be kept securely locked in your lockable cabinet. Your key worker would need to make checks on this from time to time to ensure that you are doing this and that you are taking your medication correctly. This would be agreed with you and recorded in your care plan

If you feel you are not capable of looking after your medication yourself then we would be happy to look after them for you and to ensure that they are administered at the correct times.

• GP SERVICES

There are a number of GP surgeries in this area. The support staff would assist you to register with any one of these GP surgeries if approached. However, if you are unhappy with your choice then we would be happy to look into other surgeries within the area that you could register with. Your key worker would assist you about your preferences.

• COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The manager and staff at No.22 Residential Care Home understand that it is often difficult for service users to make complaint or suggestions about the care they receive within the home. No. 22 residential care home has a complaint procedure, which will deal with all the complaints in the home. Any member of staff who receives either a verbal criticism or an informal complaint from a service user should listen to the problem and endeavour to ensure an immediate investigation is conducted.

1. The complainant should be informed of the action that will be taken and if appropriate, be given an apology.
2. The subject of the complaint should be recorded with a summary of the conversation and resolution or decision
3. If the service user is not happy with the outcome they can write to the Director: Ruma Luckeerain is at: Crownwise Limited 2 Streatham Common South Streatham LONDON SW16 3BT
4. If you do not feel comfortable about using either of the above options, you are free to contact the Care Quality Commission. They are based at the following address:

• EQUAL OPPURTUNITIES

No.22 Residential Care Home takes all positive action to promote equal opportunities while appreciating the benefits of diversity.

The home would ensure that as far as possible no resident or member of staff receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of: –

• Gender
• Age
• Race
• Ethnicity or national origins
• Sexual orientation, or
• Disability

No.22 Residential Care Home recognise that progress towards removing discrimination requires the responsibility, participation and commitment of staff, service user and outside agencies.

No.22 Residential Care Home is committed to maintaining a high profile for the development and implementation of equal opportunities in its overall operations

• HEALTH & SAFETY

No.22 Residential Care Home abides by the health and safety act 1974 and the European community regulation 1993. However, if you notice anything in the building that you feel may be dangerous or could cause yourself or others harm, please report it to a member of staff immediately.

No.22 Residential Care Home is protected by three zone fire alarm system with smoke detectors in every room. Fire extinguishers and break glass points, protective fire doors, heat sensor, fire blanket and carbon extinguisher in the kitchen.

• INFECTION CONTROL

The manager will identify and maintain a list of any service users within the home who may have infectious diseases, as listed below that are required to be reported to the Inspection Unit:

• Hepatitis types A and B
• HIV whether this has or not developed into AIDS
• Tuberculosis
• MRSA
• Scabies
• All other noticeable diseases

No.22 Residential Care Home would work with service users who have been identified as HIV positive, have been diagnosed with AIDS or who are carriers of the virus.

Service users would be treated with confidentiality and respect and would not be discriminated against in any way. Counselling in matters relating to contagious diseases would be made available to service users or staff in strict confidence.

• HOW TO APPLY TO N0.22 RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME

The Social worker, Care co-ordinator, Community Mental Health Nurse or a member of the professional care team may call us directly to discuss whether we have any vacancies. We would subsequently send them an official application form, which must be completed in full and returned to us. Once this has been received we would conduct an assessment of the service user’s needs to ascertain whether we could offer the kind of support the prospective service user requires.

• Admission Criteria

All service users undergo a pre-admission assessment, which is conducted by the home manager. The findings of the pre-admission assessment and reports from the referring agency including psychiatric history, risk assessment of needs and care plans are discussed with the care team to ensure the home can meet the individual needs. The support staff would only accept a new referral applicant if they feel the home could adequately meet their needs as determined through the assessment.

• Emergency Admission

Unplanned admissions should take place only in emergencies. In such cases, the new service user must be thoroughly informed about the Home within at least 48 hours after admission and all other admission criteria must be met within no more than five working days. Service users placed in an emergency are fully assessed and relocated if the care provided is not appropriate to their needs.

If there are any aspects of this handbook that you do not understand or you would like someone to read through with you, please do not hesitate to speak to the management team.

In order to provide you with the highest possible level of service we need to work in partnership.