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Therapeutic Services at Dragonby Road
The Therapeutic Services Team within Hesley Group provides individual and group support for people, depending on what each person needs.
They work closely with support teams, providing training, coaching, support and advice. Equipment ranging from communication resources and adapted cutlery to weighted blankets is also provided.
We also have access to a Consultant Psychiatrist who provides support to people who require psychiatric input.
Applied Psychology Team: Our Applied Psychology Team includes psychologists, behaviour therapists and assistant practitioners who work alongside support teams to understand each person’s emotional, social and behavioural support needs.
The team works with people we support and their support teams to develop a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plan. This summarises and communicates the person’s preferences, strengths and needs in order to achieve the best quality of life possible and to support those around them.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Therapy Assistants: Our OTs and Therapy Assistants get to know each person through enjoying activities together and completing formal and informal assessments with the person and their family and carers. They collectively agree what the person wants or needs to do to add meaning to their life.
Many OTs within the team have further training in Ayres Sensory Integration. They assess how people use or rely on their sensory processing skills and how their environments may affect levels of calm or distress. They will then find the right support approaches, helping the person to regulate their own reactions and sensitivities. This approach helps the person engage in daily activities more comfortably and confidently, and may support them to try new experiences.
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Team: The SLT Team supports each person’s speech, language and communication development. We value all types of interaction and the SLTs and Therapy Assistants aim to reduce barriers to communication by promoting an inclusive communication approach. This can include using different types of communication such as:
• Photographs and symbols
• Makaton Signing
• Accessible information or social stories
• Objects of reference
• Electronic approaches (such as iPads)
They might also support colleagues in using Intensive Interaction, an approach that takes the skills of the person and builds on them in a relaxed, enjoyable way.
Speech and Language Therapists also have a role in making sure that everyone has safe and enjoyable mealtimes. Each person who lives in a Hesley Group service has an assessment to see if they have any difficulties with eating and drinking (dysphagia). If someone needs extra support with their eating and drinking, the SLT puts guidelines in place to help them.