We understand the importance of family involvement and we actively promote and encourage the involvement of parents, families, friends, and relatives in an individual’s life. We ensure that family members and carers have the opportunity to be involved in their loved one’s care every step of the way from initial contact about our services through to weekly updates on their placement.
The input provided by family members during the transition period is invaluable and more often than not it helps us to build a picture of the person we will be supporting much better than any amount of documentation can, even more so when the family members have been the main carers for an individual who is now transitioning into Supported Living Services. Whilst the involvement we have with families is heightened during the initial stages and transitional period of a placement our contact with families doesn’t end once an individual is settled in their new placement.
Some of the ways in which we continue to encourage involvement include;
- Regular telephone updates from a Manager/Team Leader caring for your family member.
- Regular meetings between Service Users and Manager/Team Leader of their Service.
- Consulted within 24 hours in response to any serious incidents involving their relative.
- Family involvement in care plans and risk assessments. *
- Reminders about key appointments and invites to attend. *
- Invited to be involved in the interviewing/recruitment process for staff who will support their family member. *
We understand that everyone is different when it comes to the level of involvement they wish to have in relation to the care and support of a family member therefore certain items from the above list of services will only be provided upon request from family members and inline with the statement below. These items are indicated with an Asterix (*).
NB: Information sharing and involvement with family members/relatives/carers will be done so in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and its Code of Practice. Written and verbal consent will always be sought from the service user prior to sharing any information, and if this is not possible the principles of the mental capacity acts will be adhered to.