Environments & staff

At Hesley Group, we pride ourselves on our unique provision of non-traditional residential support. We consider that positive physical environments demonstrate our commitment to those who live in or otherwise access our services. What is more, we see that such environments have a strongly positive influence in creating the best therapeutic milieu for the people who live within them and for the staff to work in.

Single person and small group occupancy of high-quality accommodation is the model of living arrangements throughout all Hesley Group provision, in both young people's and adult services.

Sufficient space within, as well as around, the schools, colleges and homes of those we support is a key environmental consideration, as is the opportunity to individualise one’s own living areas or room.

For some, the more rural locations of the Hesley Village, Low Laithes or Wilsic Hall School, for example, may be ideal. For others, the more urban settings and more immediate community access of Fullerton House School or Community Solutions, may best match their needs and wishes.

While it is important to get the location of schools, colleges and homes right, it is also vital to provide within them calm areas, appropriate high-quality decor and furnishings and suitable levels of stimulation that cover all sensory modalities. Full consideration of all these important factors, among others, help us provide the best possible therapeutic environments for all those living in and using Hesley Group's services.

Staff commitment & training

We believe that Hesley Group staff provide a unique resource of people, who frequently go the extra mile to do their very best for the people they support. This is evidenced by, for example, not only the range of activities undertaken but also the enthusiasm with which this is done. From supporting people living in services to really enjoy seasonal activities, to making sure that activities genuinely reflect people’s choices, we are proud of how staff strive to bring happiness and fulfilment to the lives of those they support - and how they seek to maintain and build on this in thoughtful and creative ways.

Staff continue to achieve 10- and 20-year-long service awards as one sign of staff commitment. Positive comments via CQC, Ofsted and Investors in People have also identified this longstanding commitment from staff.

Hesley Group is dedicated to improving the performance and self-esteem of its staff in a way that directly improves the quality of life of the people we support. To this end our workforce development department (Hesley People) provides and commissions an extensive programme of workforce development activities. This combination of learning opportunities range from e-learning, individual coaching and mentoring, apprenticeships, learning events and updates, open learning and attendance at accredited courses.

Our work-based awarding centre is registered to provide a range of City & Guilds qualifications and provides assessment and certification for all care staff who require a health and social care qualification to meet statutory and corporate targets. We're proud of the achievements of our staff in all relevant qualification sectors and we know that their pride in their achievements is reflected in the quality of our service.

All new staff are required to attend and complete a relevant corporate and service-specific induction programme which meets Care Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Children's Residential Services' requirements. From there they move into personal development programmes that further develop their knowledge skills and motivation to achieve a high quality of service for the people we support.

All staff are trained in HELP (Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme), a behaviour support approach based on Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), which is accredited by the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD). TCI is an internationally recognised positive behaviour support and crisis prevention programme that reduces reliance on high-risk interventions. TCI recognises that it is the actions and reactions of those around young people that strongly shape and influence their behaviour, as well as their social and emotional development. Its emphasis is on empathy and proactive support, while physical interventions are very much considered a last resort.