Individuals can engage in a negotiated, structured programme with full support, training, encouragement and monitoring from appropriately trained staff. Alternatively, the facility can be used to the enhance quality of life for a person who would benefit from their 'own space' but who may need a greater amount of support. Either way, we do not have our own specific time frame for moving on, other than that individually negotiated within a multidisciplinary agreement. We will then endeavour to support an individual in working towards this. Those identified as holding the potential to move on in this direction will need, over an agreed period of time, to achieve pre determined standards in key 'lifeskills' such as budgeting and money management, personal care, preparation of meals, self medication etc.  We have suitably qualified and trained staff, specifically for this purpose.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Oliver Court is a new building, which has been specifically designed to facilitate independent living for 10 people with mental health problems. It is registered as a Residential Care Home facility with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We decided to build the new building in the style of 10 flatlets (all of which provide substantially more than the 12 square metres of private space currently required) to enable people to gain confidence with independent living whilst still getting full support. A building can either enable or dis-enable independent living, so it has been designed to give the maximum independence. We saw this type of quite rare environment as the way forward for the future. Although the Care Standards Act 2000 now specifies that all new buildings for care should have a minimum room size of 12 square metres with ensuite, this has not gone far enough in insisting that new buildings for mental health, really do facilitate independent living, as the rest of the care environment is still shared.  This can then invariably, in the most flexible home, lead to being caught up in the routine and becoming reliant on others for things that a person could take personal responsibility for, if encouraged.  This type of environment also helps maintain privacy, dignity and autonomy so we feel strongly that it is the way forward for the future.

STAFFING

Oliver Court will be staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There will be sufficient staff available to fulfil the various functions that the home needs in order to provide the best possible care and support. Oliver Court has two proprietors, a husband and wife team who fulfil the functions of personnel management, administration, support, supervision and training. A care manager, who oversees the staff procedures and practices including the implementation of the clients' individual care plans and the day to day smooth running of the establishment. He is supported by a deputy manager and 2 further full -time support workers. A further part time support worker is also employed to cover holiday, sickness and provide additional support to clients when they may need it. We have a RMN on staff for overnight duties.  The support workers further functions will be to build up information and facilitate social contact and support for the client's stay at Oliver Court and once they return into the community. We will also have activities co-ordinators who's function will be to organise, in conjunction with residents, both individual and group activities. In the afternoons and evenings for example there may be a quiz and invitations to other establishments in return. We also have basic skills tutors to facilitate access to education and introduction to gaining new skills in numeracy and literacy. A night support worker will be on the premises to provide support throughout the night if required. Domestic staff will be employed on a limited basis to clean the communal areas. Each resident is expected to care for their own flat (unless care plan states otherwise or during periods of being unwell). The majority of residents will be cooking their own meals, however support will provided if care plans dictate it.

PROPRIETORS & REGISTERED PROVIDERS

John and Jane Matheron

REGISTERED MANAGER

Roger Beevis

DEPUTY MANAGER

Simon Hoey

BA (Hons) Social Work

We also have two support workers, a special needs teacher, a programme organiser, a weekend support worker, basic skills tutors, an administrator and a domestic supporter.

STAFF RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING

The staff are selected for certain qualities, such as kindness, personality, sensitivity, patience, integrity and professionalism. No one is allowed to stay unless they display these qualities. They are carefully screened and checked according to the requirements laid down by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and employment is subject to a probationary period of 6 months. During their induction, all staff are trained, using Skills for Care Induction and Foundation Standards.

 The home also organises in house training in which all staff participate and It also sends staff for training courses in topics such as care of medicines, protection of vulnerable adults, first aid, health and hygiene and fire safety. Where more specific training is required e.g. for conditions such as Huntingdon's, diabetes, MS, the services of expert trainers will be employed to provide a knowledge of the condition and how to help manage it.

ACCOMMODATION

Oliver Court has been designed and built to contain a communal room on the ground floor, the purpose of which is to create a social meeting space for the people living in the flats and to host social events that may be of interest to the clients and invited visitors. On the ground floor there will also be the administration office and a meeting room / kitchen area. There are 10 flatlets, 2 on the ground floor, 4 on the first floor and 4 on the second floor. Each flatlet has the same facilities - a good sized lounge with a self contained fully fitted kitchen area (with a washing machine, electric cooker, microwave and fridge freezer), a bedroom and an en suite shower room/wc. Residents are welcome to bring their own items of furniture and any personal items (as long as soft furnishings comply with fire regulations). Otherwise each flat will be fully equipped. Outside is a secluded and sunny courtyard garden with seating.

ADMISSIONS

We will be happy to consider any person, either male or female aged over 18. The project is suitable for anyone who would benefit from either more private space or who would like varying degrees of support while regaining some or total independence.

People interested in coming to live in one of the flatlets in Oliver Court are encouraged to visit and find out about the service and facilities and to discuss their individual aims and needs. If this visit is positive, then the client will be offered the opportunity to spend further time getting to know more, if required, about such things as the local area, local facilities and in getting to know the staff better. During this time an assessment can be prepared to see how we could best meet the client's needs. Once everyone agrees, then the client can move in for a formal trial period of one month. We try to avoid emergency admission but if it cannot be avoided, we follow our current polices and procedures.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND FEES

We are committed to providing value for money within our comprehensive and caring service. The fees charged are calculated on an individual basis: they are dependent on some of the following things.

1. The type of care package required.

2. The individuals care/support needs.

3. The amount of staff time required to assist in facilitating the individual's care plan.

Depending on the personal financial situation, a resident can either pay the fees privately or be funded by the relevant social services department/third party.

FEES - WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Personal items such as tobacco and personal toiletries, clothes etc.

Personal trips

Telephone bills

Fees for outside courses

Professional Hairdressing

Transport (except to hospital appointments if needed)

FEES - WHAT IS INCLUDED

Private use of the flatlet

Utility bills gas, water, electricity, council tax

24 hour staff support

On site and off site activities

Seasonal celebrations

Designated food budget allowance (or meals if required as per care plan)

CARE PLAN REVIEW

Once developed, the client centred care plan will be regularly reviewed, to reflect it's designated aims, objectives and the clients needs. User involvement is central to Oliver Court's philosophy and all care plans are created in partnership between resident and keyworker.  All clients will receive copies of their care plan, and its updates. This can also be a good way of clients seeing the progress they have made towards independence.

MONITORING QUALITY

 Annually, we will organise for an independent, unbiased quality assurance exercise to be carried out to establish if we are achieving the aims and objectives we have set out and which are contained in this statement of purpose. We also have a quality assurance programme which involves clients family and representatives.

In addition to this our other practices, polices and procedures are reviewed as needed but formally at the start of each new year.

MEDICATION

Each individual care plan will state how each clients medication is to be dispensed. It is possible for the staff to store and take responsibility for dispensing medication to clients if this is appropriate. However, if a client wishes to self -medicate and this is agreed within their multi disciplinary team, then help, support and advice will be available. They will also be given a lockable cabinet for the safe storing of their medication. We can also work with clients if their desire is to move towards self medication.

SMOKING

In accordance with the ban on smoking in public areas, from 1^st July 2007 the only designated smoking area is the lounge of each private flat. Smoking is not permitted in any other area of the flats to minimise levels of risk. Smoking is not permitted in any communal areas inside the building.

ACTIVITIES

The homes policy on activities is twofold, firstly to encourage clients to pursue their own individual interests, hobbies and aims. These may include specific training, college courses, voluntary work or employment. These will be discussed during care plan set up and reviews. Secondly, we will, in conjunction with clients, set up group activities and events aimed at encouraging social interaction and the development of a social circle. No resident will be forced to take part in any activity if they do not wish to. Residents' meetings will be held monthly and will provide an excellent chance for clients to make suggestions and also to talk about / take responsibility for some of the activities decided on by all. Activities available may include:

Card Games, Board Games, Arts and Crafts, Pool,

Afternoon Tea, Darts, Table Tennis, Bingo,

Cooking, Karaoke, Barbecues, Quizzes,

Beauty/Personal Care i.e. nails and hair -make up, beard trim etc.

OUTINGS

Swimming, Gym, Meals out, Local events,

Short breaks, Pub visits, Shopping trips, Picnics,

Cinema, Walks.

PETS

We acknowledge that pets can be a good source of companionship and that people get very attached to them.  If a resident wishes to bring their animal with them, we will try and make this possible. However, it will depend on obtaining the managers permission. Each request will be considered on an individual basis.

MEALS

Each client may be helped to budget each week. Using their negotiated, individual care plan, the appropriate system will be established to enable each client to organise and then take responsibility for purchasing and cooking their own meals. On a continuum, this may mean total assistance with shopping and food preparation, to no assistance needed. If however if it not possible for a client to budget for or cook their own food, then they may have home cooked meals provided. This service is also available during periods of ill health.

SMOKING AND ALCOHOL

Smoking is only permitted in designated areas and nowhere else in the building. Alcohol is only allowed in the residents' flatlets and the rest of the home with permission from the manager or assistant manager. Any requests to keep alcohol must be discussed with the manager and moderate consumption may be possible, provided that this is in line with the individual's care plan. If alcohol is prohibited for any reason, then it will state this in the residents care plan and it will then be strictly forbidden. No form of illegal drugs or un-prescribed drugs will be tolerated and may lead to the clients tenancy being terminated.

CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Clients' family and friends are welcome to visit and we will actively encourage clients to maintain contact, either in person by letter or telephone when visiting is not possible. Clients are welcome to come to Oliver Court at all reasonable times, but all visitors must let the person in charge know of their arrival and departure. No visitors are allowed to stay in Oliver Court without permission from the manager. The manager and clients have the right to refuse entry to any visitor and this right will be upheld by the person in charge who will, if necessary, inform visitors of the resident's/ mangers wishes.

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP

We are an equal opportunities establishment, and people from all faiths are welcome, We can assist, if required, in finding out where the nearest place of worship is in a client's given faith domination.