Example E – a residential and nursing home

This home promotes individual choice and has lots of spaces where people can spend time with family and friends and take part in activities which promote social inclusion.

This service has an ethos which is about what turns an ordinary day into a great day for each individual. The use of a one page profile that describes what the individual feels is important for them and how they wish to be supported assists in achieving this outcome. There is also a good deal of work put into ensuring that staff understand the minutiae of how to deliver a positive service, be that around how an individual prefers to take their medication, to how they like their rooms arranged. Choice and control are also key with service users deciding where to eat, what activities’ they wish to be involved in and what information they wish to share with whom. Training is given to staff on what dignity means and how it can be evidenced in practice. This means that service users are enabled to focus on what they can do rather than can’t, and this serves to give all a sense of worth and value. Service users clearly state that they feel safe and well supported. The lay out of the home means that there are lots of spaces where service users can meet together with family or friends in private, without having to use their rooms. It was apparent that the importance of good communication was recognised with a range of communication methods being available to suit individual needs. The service has a very professional and respectful feel about it.