Membership review for Heath Farm
By – Date of visit:
This membership review is intended to reflect the experiences of the visitor who might be looking for a placement. It is subjective, consistent and impartial and reflects the impressions of our team member on the day of the visit. It is a snapshot view only. The contents of the review are intended to cover some of the subjects and issues which an individual, their relatives or their placement officer might ask.
This review has been published with the written agreement of the home owner or an authorised representative of the organisation.
Summary of Findings
This is a service aimed at delivering a service to individuals with autism either with or without a learning disability. It comprises of several small units providing a service for a maximum of 10 people.
Key to the development of skills for the individuals is the staff understanding of the variety of difficulties experienced by the people they support. Staff training is extremely comprehensive and covers a large range of subjects some of which relate to additional needs which sometimes occur. An example of this is mental health training plus a thorough understanding of learning disabilities.
First Impressions
Heath Farm is set in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, some distance from the nearest town or city.
The grounds are large and well maintained and provide a large parking area for visitors. Directions to the reception area are clearly marked and I entered a large bustling administration area with offices leading off. I was asked to sign in and introduced to the Quality Assurance Manager with whom I spent most of the visit.
I was offered a drink before our meeting started and the welcome I received was warm and friendly. The staff enthusiasm for the service was apparent.
The Environment (External)
Heath Farm stands in large grounds in the middle of open countryside to three aspects. A high fence surrounds the grounds and access is gained through electronic gates. On the fourth side is RAF Digby with whom there is a good relationship.
The individual homes form a crescent around a large grassed area with pathways and pergolas. There is a resource area which houses equipment for arts and crafts, music and a Snoezellen. There is also a large workshop for the maintenance team and a poly-tunnel in which many of the people supported are involved in growing their own vegetables.
Each individual house has its own small garden to the rear with lighting and seating when required.
The Environment (Internal)
Each area is home to people with different levels of abilities and they are chosen for their compatibility. The houses are furnished in accordance with the needs of the people supported. Many areas have strengthened windows some of which are reflective. The furniture is highly durable, the colours are low arousal and furbishing is minimal in all areas showing a clear understanding of some of the sensory issues experienced by individuals with autism.
The people supported are able to choose the colours, furniture and contents of their own rooms and, where they are able, they can lock their rooms if they wish.
In some areas the individuals have free access to the kitchens which are domestic whilst others use a catering style kitchen where access is only allowed with support.
Each house has large rooms and several separate areas where an anxious individual can take him/herself in order to restore their calm.
All areas I saw were clean. It is clear that there are several people with high levels of anxiety necessitating in televisions and furniture being secured or housed in Perspex boxing to prevent them from damage. Inevitably, this detracted from the homely appearance in some areas; however,,the necessity for this was clear.
The Wider Environment
As mentioned above, Heath Farm is some miles from Lincoln to the north and Sleaford to the south, being the nearest towns. Each house has at least one vehicle to ensure that the people supported are in no way restricted in their external activities.
The people supported at Heath Farm at the time of my visit required high levels of support to access the local community, although one young gentleman is taken into Lincoln to visit friends and to be collected later.
Understanding Autism
Referral to this service come from all over the country. Information is gathered by the managers from social services, current carers, school and families and, once it is agreed that the needs can be met, the care plan is set up and the transition takes place at a pace suitable for the individual. The people supported, if able, are included in the creation of the care plan.
The supported person has two keyworkers and a co-ordinator who are responsible for keeping care plans up to date, ensuring that appointments are kept and the individual has everything he or she needs. Keyworkers report on progress every month and reviews are held every six months in addition. Family members, professionals and the supported person, where possible are invited to attend reviews.
Each care plan includes both communication and sensory profiles. Around each house is evidence of the support the individuals need to help them understand their routines. Many use symbols; some use photos and some use “now” and “next”.
Most of the current group of people supported at Heath Farm have extremely complex needs and some have very challenging behaviour. Staff are very experienced and have considerable knowledge about the complexity of the needs of adults with autism. Some of the individuals supported will remain at Heath Farm while those who make sufficient progress may move on to supported living. In those instances, the team work extensively to ensure that the strategies they have used are passed on to the support workers in the new environment and the transition is as smooth as possible.
Health and Wellbeing
Autism Care UK employ a psychologist to work with staff in supporting the individuals throughout the service. In addition, assistant psychologists provide training and advice for the staff and people with autism.
All residents receive medical support from a local health centre. Medication is supplied by the local Boots pharmacy who also oversee its storage and staff are trained in the safe administration, possible side effects and usage of drugs.
Menus are prepared three-weekly in advance and are seasonal. The supported people are invited to contribute in the planning of meals and are encouraged to choose healthy options. If necessary, special dietary requirements are catered for.
Individuals in the Home
All people supported at Heath Farm have a diagnosis of autism. Most also have a learning difficulty and exhibit challenging behaviour. High staffing levels provide careful management of complex needs.
Currently the ages of the people supported range from 20 – 60 years.
Staff I saw were supportive and respectful of their charges as they carried out their programmes.
Staffing
All staff recruited must supply satisfactory CRB checks (Criminal Record Bureau) and two employers references.
Induction training takes place over two weeks. Each new staff member is given a file containing details of the training they will receive during the two week period but also over the coming months. It also contains copies of key policies and procedures, job descriptions and various forms which must be completed for the employers.
Training at Heath Farm is constantly being reviewed and updated and is extremely comprehensive. The Training Co-ordinator is very enthusiastic about her task and showed me the current training files given to staff and we discussed her plans for development.
In addition to the statutory training on Fire Safety, Health and Safety, First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene, staff are given extensive education on the complex needs of people with autism including sensory and communication difficulties.
Included in the training files are evidence sheets which are to be completed after these sessions to demonstrate understanding of the subject.
Over the next few months staff attend sessions relating to specific needs of individuals in their care; training in aspects of mental health and learning difficulties; duty of care; respecting the individuals; report writing; epilepsy and many other topics.
All staff are expected to work towards the CQF qualification at levels 2 and 3. (Qualification Credit Framework). Managers must achieve CQF level 5.
In order to develop relationships with the local community, the wider community residents are included in to some of the training regarding aspects of autism. This is intended to help them understand the people they encounter. Also parents are invited to give talks on their experiences looking after someone with autism. This helps develop relationships between staff and families and gives an understanding of the difficulties they have endured.
Staff receive regular supervisions and annual appraisals to monitor development and training needs.
Two of the more able people supported at Heath Farm themselves deliver training on the difficulties of living with autism to local colleges or other services.
Management of the Home
Registered Managers are responsible for each of the houses and are in turn supported by a Head of Service taking overall responsibility for the facility.
Staffing levels are determined by the needs of the people supported and are quite high. The whole team is helped by an extensive administration, psychology and maintenance teams.
Key to the success of this service is the time and effort put into staff training which results in a confident and knowledgable work force.
Staff experiencing difficult days are debriefed as a team at the earliest opportunity.
Policies and procedures on a wide range of subjects are available to all staff at all times.
Conclusion
I received a friendly reception at Heath Farm and was impressed by the enthusiasm for the service demonstrated by the Quality Assurance Manager and the Training Co-ordinator. It was clear that staff have an extensive knowledge of the subject of autism.
I was very impressed with the high standards of training available to staff and it would be hard to find a relevant subject which is not covered in the curriculum.
The individuals I saw on the day of my visit appeared happy and well cared for and appeared supported in the manner most suited to their needs.
I would like to express my thanks to the staff and supported individuals at Heath Farm for their time and hospitality during my visit and wish them well for the future.
Home Visitor – Pat Clendining, Living Autism
Director of Client Services