Our Approach at Low Laithes

Positive behaviour support (PBS) is the framework we use for everything we do. It is values driven, evidence-based and practical. Focusing on people’s rights provides the ethical compass which guides our approach to working with people.

We understand that behaviours that challenge arise from an interaction between a person’s needs and the environment and strive to provide capable support environments which maximise learning. Holistic assessment enables high quality personalised support to achieve outcomes for people which are meaningful. PBS is a compassionate approach to supporting people to have a good quality of life and in doing so, minimises the risk of behaviours that challenge.

At Low Laithes our mission is to enhance the lives of the people we support by focusing on their individual needs, strengths and aspirations. We aim to enable each person to maximise their potential and achieve a progressively more independent and better quality of life; supporting people to get to a place where they have greater choice and control in their lives.

Communication

Speech and Language Therapists work to develop an appropriate communication approach for each person, which is then promoted by the support teams. This approach helps people develop an increasing understanding of the many issues which affect their daily lives and helps them to take an active and meaningful part in decision making as well as extending the depth and range of their relationships.

Preparation

We prepare and support people and their families when moving onto the next stage in their lives through effective transition planning. Our goal is to support people to gain skills and independence that will allow them to live a more independent life.

Citizenship

Creating a safe, predictable and stimulating environment enables everybody to be as active as possible in their community, leading to meaningful social inclusion. Helping the people who live at Low Laithes to live as citizens valued and included within their own community.

Trust and relationships

We aim to develop trusting and valued individual relationships between people who live at Low Laithes, their staff and family and friends.

Interdisciplinary approach

Our interdisciplinary model means that our starting point is not just about what people may need now, but also where they want to be or could be in the future. A team of experienced care and health professionals work together to support each person.

Keeping people safe

We aim to support people to develop increasing levels of independence and take risks in a safe and well supported environment. Our philosophy is one of warmth, security, consistency, understanding and trust. Our safeguarding arrangements sit in this context; our policies, procedures, staff training and quality assurance provide a robust and regularly reviewed framework for this philosophy.

Health and safety

We are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all those who live, work in or otherwise visit our services. Low Laithes adheres to all procedures in place under the Health and Safety Policy of Hesley Group and wider legislation and regulations.

Our philosophy

The team at Low Laithes want people to be successful in their lives. To have access to and enjoy the same activities and opportunities as anyone else. To live as independently as possible and develop lifelong skills and build positive, meaningful relationships with the people who support them and the wider community.

We pride ourselves on offering a high quality residential provision and seek to provide the foundations for ongoing, positive progress for people who live there. We support people to develop greater independence in an environment that offers warmth, security, consistency and understanding. A purposeful and calm atmosphere is encouraged through the professional approach adopted by all staff. Trust and positive relationships between the people we support and staff underpin the ethos within the service.

Equality and diversity

We are committed to enabling people to express their individuality through supporting them with their culture, beliefs, race, disability, gender, identity or sexual orientation. We do not discriminate against anybody who lives or works in, or otherwise accesses our services, in any respect.

Advocacy

People living at Low Laithes are supported to express their views, their hopes and their aspirations. Each person’s key worker and core team will advocate on their behalf. Everyone living at Low Laithes also has access to independent advocacy services commissioned by Hesley Group.

Planning for the future

We help people prepare for their future by providing a wide range of opportunities for learning and development, appropriate to the needs and wishes of each person. We think that it is important to understand people’s hopes and wishes for their future by working closely with them and their families and whenever possible we support them to achieve these.

We take a positive approach to risk management, based on a full understanding of the needs of each person. We work consultatively with the person themselves and all other key parties in designing individualised care and support. We monitor and regularly review all assessments, progress and outcomes.

A strong emphasis is placed on meaningful activity away from Low Laithes, as well as within the service itself. There are opportunities within the service for people to develop meaningful skills, as well as initiatives for people to access employment, further education and other community facilities and services.

Partnership working, clear and positive communication and respectful and collaborative relationships are seen as vital to supporting people well.