Person Centred Approaches and the Natural Life Cycle

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Western Care Association provides a range of services to adults in the Mayo area. We support people with their chosen living options, respite services, day options and helping to build social networks in people’s own communities.

We are committed to supporting people to gain meaningful employment and to ensure that education and training needs are met.

LIVING OPTIONS

The Association provides supports to people who are living in Group Homes. A number of people share a house whereby staff offer support to help them lead fulfilling lives.

Another model used is a situation where people who are more independent and require less staff support live in the local community. Staff provide support where it is most needed.

Some people are supported to live independently in the community. Supports are in place to ensure they have a good social life, have the opportunity to have hobbies and have the chance to build friendships.

The purpose of all these services is to support the individual to live as independently as possible, with the necessary level of support from the Association and lead a good quality of life.

RESPITE SERVICES

Western Care Association offers respite services throughout the county. This service is designed to give people we support and families a break. Such services allow an individual to use a group home for a short period of time. This is an opportunity to support the person to develop their social activities, to learn some new skills in a different location and to experience the opportunity to live away from the family home.

DAY OPPORTUNITIES/RESOURCES

There are day opportunities available to people with varying levels of support offered. The focus is on community participation with most activities/opportunities that we support

• Training opportunities across a range of skills for individuals. This training can be offered both within WCA buildings and using community facilities.
• Advocacy Supports and Personal Development
• Opportunities to build social networks and building real friendships
• The opportunity to experience a range of options in the world of work
• Employment opportunities
• Leisure and recreation opportunities

Western Care Association has developed a number of innovative projects to support adults with a learning disability in the world of work. Such initiatives include the development of enterprises which offer employment to people. We support people to work by offering on the job training. This support incorporates training, coaching, monitoring and social support. The level of support is determined by the needs of the person. Many of these initiatives are developed in partnership with local employers.

OUTREACH SERVICES

Offers ongoing support to people who do not avail of our services and who may need a point of contact or intermittent support.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The needs of individuals and families are assessed in a supportive professional approach, addressing the concerns of the individuals with learning disabilities and their families at any given time. The service is delivered through the provision of a home-based approach or within Western Care Association offices.

The focus of the Social Work Department is to support and enable people to address difficulties as they arise.  This can be facilitated through the use of 1:1 counselling, family counselling, group counselling, group supports, networking, and other appropriate interventions as required.

The role of the Social Worker is to respond to the emerging needs of the individual and their family (where appropriate) in a planned co-ordinated approach, focusing on the particular areas of self esteem, self confidence, independence, individual rights and entitlements.

The Social Work Department operates as part of a community-based multi-disciplinary team put in place to support and respond to the needs of individuals with a learning disability and their families.

The Social Work Department also provide the following services:

HOME SUPPORTS

HOMESHARING

What is Home Sharing About?

Home Sharers provide a service in their community, to the people we support, having been recruited, screened and trained to undertake the role of providing a break in their own home for a child/adult who has a learning disability for usually short periods of time. Homesharing provides opportunities for the child or adult to develop new relationships, participate more in their communities, and experience an increased sense of inclusion in their community and environment.

Who can apply?

Anyone over the age of 18 years, who is interested in becoming a Homesharer.

Are any qualifications needed?

No, academic qualifications are not a necessary part of any application.  Common sense, warmth, understanding, patience and flexibility are the qualifications necessary.  A training programme will be provided to applicants once the initial application process is completed.  Applicants are also asked to take part in an assessment and sign consent forms to allow us to process Garda Clearance, a HSE check, and two references, plus a reference from your G.P.

How long of a commitment am I expected to give?

Being a Homesharer is a very individual thing.  Home sharing schemes fit in with most individuals own lifestyle and commitments.  Homesharers themselves determine the level of availability they can provide.

For example, one Homesharer may be in a position to offer a child or adult three weekend breaks a year, another might be available for occasional day or overnight stays, weekends monthly or indeed some Homesharers prefer a more regular and long term commitment, like every weekend, or Monday to Friday.  Some like to offer a week or two weeks holiday type break in summer.

If at anytime Homesharers feel they are no longer in a position to provide a service, they can at any stage talk to a Social Worker about their changing circumstances and can agree a planned ending to their placement.  They will not be contacted about further placements unless they wish to remain on our panel for future reference.

Homesharers do take breaks from offering placements and may decide to return to being available again at some later stage.

Do I know who is coming to stay?

Prior to placement, Homesharers are provided with a descriptive picture of the child or adult, they are considering having in their home, outlining their abilities and needs.  In all cases, the children or adults, are “matched” to a Homesharer they are going to stay with, bearing in mind your availability and level of commitment you are offering and their abilities.  This is to ensure, in so far as possible, the success of the placement.

Introductions are made gradually between the Homesharer and the child/adult, through the Social Worker involved.   In preparation for placement a number of other visits will occur before the child or adult first stay on their own.

What support do I get?

Homesharers are provided with contact telephone numbers and details of back up supports which they can contact.  They also have ongoing contact with their Social Worker.  The child/adult’s parents also provide the Homesharer with relevant information and contact numbers.

Why is there a need for Home Sharing?

Irish Society is changing, family units are becoming smaller.  Increasing social mobility, can lead to people becoming isolated in their communities. Close, family networks, which used to be a greater source of support, may no longer be the norm for a lot of people.

People we support have demonstrated to us that Homesharing is an option that they would like to consider and quite often prefer to avail of, as a first preference in service supports run by Western Care at the time.

Constant caring can be demanding and at times may become overwhelming.   The provision of Home Sharing has been found to reduce stress, strain and burnout in families, and so providing a valuable means of enhancing families’ coping resources.  As some families don’t have the option of help from family, neighbours or friends, it remains with the service providers to make available alternative forms of support.

Why Home Sharing?

Homesharers, create further opportunities for participation and inclusion for people we support in their communities.  The concept of “family/partner/individuals” based support not only provides support in the community but also support by the community.  It upholds the principle of social inclusion, which is the right of every individual. It provides individuals with the freedom to choose who they want to live with and which social and leisure activities they want to participate in.

Homesharing takes account of people we support, right to be treated with dignity and respect, their right to presence in ordinary places, their need for opportunity to develop a wide range of relationships. It supports their right to make choices about daily life and activities and follow their personal goals in life. Finally it recognises the need we all have, to have opportunities to develop new skills and abilities which will enable us to become more involved and contribute to our community.

• Children are only registered with Western Care where they are in receipt of a direct service from the Association eg Home share, Childrens centre based respite, or  ‘Connect’ (Community support based programme) Western Care provide some Behavioural Support  to children availing of these services where required.
• All therapy services, including Speech and Language, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Behavioural Support, Resource workers and Paediatric Link Nurse come under the remit of the HSE lead  Children’s Disability Network team (CDNT) There are three geographical teams across Co Mayo.

Given the large number of adults across the County registered with Western Care, particularly those living at home in their own communities, it is important that the individual adults  and/or their family member(s) initiate contact with Western Care should they have need for guidance/support. Many people with intellectual disability may not require specific support from Western Care for long periods of time or only at key periods in their lives, so it is important that contact from individuals and their families is made with Western Care  should the need arise, so we can endeavour to respond.

COMMUNITY FACILITATION SERVICE

The Community Facilitation Service is an integral part of the Social Work Department within Western Care Association.  The service was initiated in 2001 when the Social Work Department recognised that there were a large number of people with intellectual disabilities who were living and working and striving for independence. Many of these individuals had found themselves in vulnerable situations where they required a particular discreet support, and at that time had nowhere to turn.  In 2001, the Community Facilitation service was set up to support 14 individuals in the Castlebar area; this has now developed into a more comprehensive service while maintaining its discretion and supports up to 85 individuals across many areas in Mayo. A Community Facilitation service will offer a confidential person centred, discreet service to individuals living independently in the community and to those who are moving towards independent living.  A community worker facilitates and advocates for individuals to address key areas of their lives; e.g., loneliness, isolation, poverty, relationships, sexuality, personal safety, rights, social inclusion, housing, health and wellbeing.

Community Facilitation offers:

• A confidential person-centred service.
• A positive, original, innovative and individualised service which strives to meet the needs of each person.
• Discreet supports to adults with intellectual disabilities living independently in the community and support to individuals who are moving towards independent living.
• Supports to individuals who work in the community, together with supporting individuals who are seeking employment.
• A community worker facilitates and advocates for individuals to address key areas of their lives, e.g., loneliness, isolation, poverty, relationships, sexuality, personal safety, rights, social inclusion, housing, health and wellbeing.
• An inclusive and fresh approach to opportunities that are an essential aspect of the service mission, to deliver a holistic and meaningful intervention.

Key Areas of Support

Health and Wellbeing

• Encourage and support individuals to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle by providing information that enables them to make informed decisions, based on their individual needs.
• Support and guidance where necessary in the process of applying for Medical Cards/GP Visitors cards and other entitlements.
• Liaise, support and work in partnership with the adult mental health teams to address health concerns that arise for individuals with mental health challenges and diagnosis.
• Explore with individuals how best to facilitate their needs to attain a healthy lifestyle from a holistic approach, e.g., healthy diet, good mental health, sexual health and healthy relationships and general well-being.

Housing and Finance

• Work closely with Mayo County Council and private Landlords in obtaining secure, affordable quality accommodation for individuals, their partners and/or children.
• Support and facilitate individuals to apply and attend meetings regarding social housing applications; e.g. House Assistance Payment (HAP), Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), Rental Allowance and Council Housing.
• Inform and support individuals of entitlements e.g. Social Protection Payments, Household Benefits Package, Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Allowance etc.
• Facilitate individuals to maintain independent living by addressing areas of concern and identify supports necessary to assist with same, e.g. Home Support (PA), Volunteers and/or Home Help hours.
• Support and facilitate individuals to live within their means e.g. budget to pay bills, food expenses etc., and contact Money Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) as needed.

Education/Employment

• Support and encourage individuals to strive toward and attain the highest level within their ability from an educational and/or employment perspective.
• Liaise with and facilitate individuals to attend meetings and educational institutions and support them to decide on programmes that best suit their needs and ability.
• Research and relay information gathered to individuals regarding college/university courses, community run courses/activities that may be of interest.
• Liaise with Employability West for individuals who seek advice around employment needs and support individuals with their Curriculum Vitae.
• Facilitate individuals to attain voluntary employment that may enable them to gain experience to move towards permanent paid employment.

Safety (Safeguarding and Self-Guarding)

• Encourage and support individuals to keep safe, using a holistic approach, e.g. safety in the home, road safety, personal safety, sexual safety etc.
• Arrange and facilitate informational talks and/or attend same at external agencies around keeping safe.
• Liaise with the local Gardaí to raise awareness around vulnerable adults in the community and how best to address safeguarding and self-guarding.

About Western Care Association And The Clinical Team

Western Care exists to empower people with specific neurodiverse needs in Co. Mayo to live full and satisfied lives as equal citizens. As a person-centred service, the association places the person we support first. This drives the way services are organised, and how decisions are made. This also guides the way we deliver our clinical services. In adopting a neuroaffirmative, trauma informed approach, we recognise every person that we support as an individual with unique strengths and needs. We recognise the immense value in diversity and seek to continue to develop practices which are deep rooted in understanding neurodivergence and attuned to people’s specific wants and needs.

Behaviour Support Team

The Behaviour Support team provides valuable positive behaviour supports within a neuro-affirmative framework within the organisation. This involves the implementation of strategies and supports aiming to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of people supported. By seeking to understand the reasons behind presenting behaviours and complex needs, people are supported to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Key approaches involve working alongside people to understanding their bespoke needs, and empowering others around them to do the same. A holistic approach is undertaken to promoting a positive and affirming environment that acknowledges unique differences and preferences.

Psychology Team

The Psychology team aim to provide a validating and supportive environment for all of the people we work with. As a team, we seek to use our combined knowledge from integrated specialist models to create understanding of a person’s unique strengths and challenges, in line with the Psychological Society of Ireland’s best practice guidelines. All of our practice is trauma-informed and attachment-based.

Some of the clinical tools we use to do this are standardised assessments, formulation and unique therapeutic goals, with the aim of helping a person supported and those around them to gain a better  understanding of themselves, and increase their feelings of connection. Our overarching goal is to support all of those we work with to achieve a better quality of life.

A neuroaffirmative way of working is important to us, and we are dedicated to continuing to enhance our practice, and that of the organisation, using this approach. Our team have pursued additional training in Compassion Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, EMDR and Somatic Experiencing.

Physiotherapy Team

Physiotherapy is a health profession concerned with helping to restore well-being following injury, pain or disability. It is a way of enabling a person to develop his or her physical independence or regain independence following illness or injury. Physiotherapists have specialised knowledge and experience in the field of physical development and the acquisition of physical skills.

The Chartered Physiotherapist within Western Care Association treats numerous conditions, with an emphasis on providing specialist assessment, treatment and management to adults with a learning disability whose needs cannot be met by mainstream services even when reasonable adjustments are made. The Therapist works in collaboration with the person, their network of care, mainstream health services, and the multidisciplinary team to enhance, optimize and maintain the person’s physical presentation, function and quality of life.

Speech and Language Therapy Team

The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team plays a key role in promoting safe eating, drinking, and swallowing, as well as supporting effective communication for adults with neurodiverse needs across our organisation. Our goal is to empower staff to support safe swallowing and meaningful communication in everyday life, ensuring that each person is heard, understood, and actively included in their community.

Our primary focus is on delivering a dysphagia service, which includes individual assessments and the development of personalised FEDS (Feeding, Eating, Drinking, and Swallowing) plans. To support frontline staff, the organisation provides introductory FEDS training, and bespoke FEDS training tailored to the needs of specific teams and individuals.

In relation to communication, our work centres on building staff capacity to support each person’s unique communication needs in a consistent and person-centred way. We provide training and coaching in a range of communication strategies, including the use of visual supports, Lámh, objects of reference, social stories, and the creation of inclusive communication environments. We collaborate with staff teams to promote understanding of each person’s communication style, preferences, and support strategies. The SLT team is also able to deliver certified Lámh training to staff across the organisation.