Are you looking for a new career? 
Moving In to hcs Specialist Supported Living
Moving to a new home is a significant step. We take time to understand each person’s needs, strengths, aspirations and preferences so that we can make sure hcs Specialist Supported Living is the right environment for them. When a move is agreed, we work closely with the person, their family, professionals and placing authority to plan the transition carefully.
Finding out more
It’s important for you to have all the information you need to have peace of mind. Enquiries from families and from placing authorities are always welcome. We ask placing authorities to share relevant information so that we can consider carefully whether hcs Specialist Supported Living is a suitable option.
The assessment is undertaken by the hcs Specialist Supported Living manager, a specialist clinician and, if formal education is being sought, a member of the Mercury College staff team. They will arrange to meet the person and other important individuals to find out more about the person’s needs, focusing on what’s important to and for them. Through our assessment, we aim to understand the kind of life a person aspires to live and what support they require to make this happen. If we think we can provide the right support and right environment for someone to thrive, the placing authority is informed. Usually, they will then communicate the decision to the person and their family.
Getting ready
A Community Support Manager coordinates each person’s transition into hcs Specialist Supported Living, working closely with the person, their family, carers, professionals and placing authority to plan the move carefully around the person’s needs, preferences and wellbeing.
Everyone’s experience will be different, but all plans have the following key elements:
• a support team that are informed, trained and prepared
• all colleagues have a one-page profile in a format that the person understands
• an identified key worker
• the person’s choices about their home (what is important to them environmentally)
• agreement on the plan
Moving-in day can be exciting, but we recognise that for some it can feel overwhelming. Again, everyone’s first day and night will be different, but we ensure the following:
• their key worker is there to greet them
• their first night is designed around them and what they will need
• they won’t be met by lots of new people (unless their needs dictate otherwise)
• they will have a ‘welcome to your new home’ card and welcome pack or hamper, individualised to their personal likes and preferences.
Reviews
Every person we support at hcs Specialist Supported Living has regular review meetings. The timing of these meetings may vary depending on the needs and preferences of each person, e.g. if someone wants to meet more regularly, this will be facilitated. Subjects such as daily living skills, health, relationships, strengths, aspirations and worries can be discussed in the meetings.
Key to the positive outcome of this support is that the person can input their views and thoughts prior to any meeting; the person’s needs also inform where and how often meetings take place.
We want every person we support to feel listened to, valued and involved in decisions about their support. When something is not working, we review and adapt the support. Where progress is being made, we recognise and celebrate it. Either way, the person is at the centre of all we do.
Keeping in contact
Open communication is crucial at hcs Specialist Supported Living. We build positive and mutually respectful relationships between the people we support, colleagues, families, friends and all key professionals and other personal contacts.
Families and friends are always welcome at hcs Specialist Supported Living and within the wider services of Hesley Group. We assist contact by phone, mail, e-mail and video calls. Visits to home are also supported.
The people we support are encouraged and assisted to express their views about the running of hcs Specialist Supported Living. This is done through discussions, questionnaires and meetings with advocacy support available as required.