NATURE OF SERVICES PROVIDED
The organisation provides support, via short-term respite sessions, to families caring for a person with a Learning Disability in the setting of their own homes. The service offers personal care.
The Service is able to provide a support package based on need as assessed by the Care Manager at the Bridgend Community Support Team or Disabled Children Team, for example to offer:
- Support for full-time Carers to leave their dependants in the care of TC&S’ Support Workers, confident in their safety and welfare during the agreed time.
- Support and assistance in maintaining personal hygiene and domestic routines for the Service User.
- Support to provide the opportunity for the Service User to undertake an activity of choice, supported as necessary.
Nursing Care is not Provided
(Individuals and their Carers are encouraged to be involved in the decisions regarding appropriate occupation of the time during which the Service User is cared for by the Service.)
Support Workers are provided to allow Carers to leave a Service User for an agreed period of time without worrying about their welfare.
Service Management
Trinity Care and Support is a Registered Company, limited by guarantee, which was incorporated on 25 June 2008 (number 06629868). It is also a Registered Charity, number 1126380.
The service is registered with CSSIW and the Responsible Individual is Revd Gordon Sollis who chairs the Board of Directors. In his absence, responsibility would be devolved to the Board of Directors who will nominate a suitably qualified member.
The scheme is managed day to day by the Registered Manager Mrs Donna Holmes who is responsible to the Board of Trinity Care and Support. Board Members bring a range of skills and experience and are responsible for the overall operation of the service. There is a Register of Members who have a right to vote at the General Meetings, organised at least annually, by the Board. Domiciliary Care is only provided through employees of the organisation. In the event of an absence of the Registered Person or Manager, outside the statutory period of 28 days, responsibility is passed to a qualified member of the Board of Trustees. In the absence of the Registered Manager, Mrs. Brenda Farley, Assistant Manager, takes responsibility for day-to-day management of the service.
Location
Trinity Care and Support’s registered office is at Trinity Church, John Street, Porthcawl CF36 3DT. TC&S aims to provide a service for people with a Learning Disability living within the geographical area of Bridgend County Borough Council or neighbouring authorities.
Registration Status
TC&S provides a service for people with a Learning Disability living within the geographical area of Bridgend County Borough Council. It is registered with CSSIW to provide a service to:
· Adults with learning disabilities
· Older adults
· Adults with physical disabilities
· Adults with sensory loss and impairment
· Adults with mental health problems
· Elderly mentally infirm
· Children and their families
Additional Services
TC&S, through Trinity Care Club, Trinity Saturday Club and Tondu Care Club, offers a supportive environment that enables and encourages individuals to interact with each other, and also with organisations and local facilities in their wider communities, as equal and valued citizens. At the same time it supports Service Users in broadening their experience and extending their life skills.
The Care Team
Care is provided by a team of suitably qualified Support Workers/Personal Assistants who have been checked in accordance with regulations through the Disclosure and Barring Service (volunteers, deployed in supporting staff in the Trinity Care and Saturday Clubs, undergo the same checks.)
The Manager of Trinity Care and Support is Mrs Donna Holmes, who organises a staff team of approximately 29 Support Workers. Mrs. Brenda Farley, Assistant Manager and Care Club Leader, supports the Manager.
Donna has over 10 years experience working in the field of Social Care. She holds 2 Level 5 Leadership in Health and Social Care Residential, Adults Management and is currently working towards a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Children and Young People) and is currently undertaking additional units to become dual qualified. Upon completion she will also hold a Level 5 Diploma in n Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Adults Management).
During her career Mrs Holmes has received training on a range of topics related to her work in Social Care and Management which include; Administration of Medication, Epilepsy Awareness, Effective Communication, Managing Behaviour, Breakaway Techniques, Fire Safety, Child Protection, Autism Awareness, Mental Health, First Aid plus various IT skills.
Staff receive induction training when they join the team and continue training related to their responsibilities throughout their employment including First Aid, Safeguarding Children and Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
As part of a training programme for the scheme, staff may receive training on such subjects as Values and Attitudes, Administration of Medication, Manual Handling, Epilepsy Awareness, Challenging Behaviour, Food Hygiene, Health and Safety Awareness, Fire Safety, Personal Relationships and Sexuality, Effective Communication and NVQ Level 2 in Social Care. Training is arranged via the Bridgend County Joint Training Scheme or, where this is not accessible, in-house sessions are organised as required. Support Workers will be linked to families in a way which ensures that families and Support Workers are compatible.
Charges For Service
TC&S is partly funded by BCBC Health and Well-Being Directorate There is no charge at the point of delivery for hours provided as referred by the Service User’s Care Manager. However, expenses for travel and social activities are the responsibility of the Service User.
In addition, care packages and additional hours may be purchased from the organisation and invoiced directly. The rate is set and negotiated to include the current payment rate for Support Workers (including on costs) plus travel costs and an administration charge. These charges are reviewed annually.
Cancellation of Service
The Registered Manager has the right to withdraw the service at any time if she feels that any TC&S staff member may be at risk or the Service User no longer meets the criteria as registered with CSSIW.
Staff Cover
Support staff members are not all contracted. An interruption of service due to holiday and sickness will be covered, as far as possible, by an appropriately trained, alternative member of the Care Team.
SAFEGUARDS FOR STAFF AND SERVICE USERS
Code of Practice
All staff must read, understand and sign the scheme’s Code of Practice before commencing work. This explains the professional behaviour expected of staff when they work with Service Users in their own homes.
Key Holding Policy
It is TC&S’s policy not to hold the personal/private keys of Carers or people being cared for.
Cash Handling Policy
Staff members are insured to carry money on behalf of Service Users to a limited amount at any one time. This limit will be discussed and agreed in the Response Plan.
Personal Safety
The personal safety of the Support Worker is of paramount importance, and any actual or threatened aggression towards the Support Worker is unacceptable. A staff member has the right to refuse to go into a situation where this is the case.
- Staff should look out for general safety risks, park in a safe, well lit area, keep keys to hand and check the back seat on return before getting into the car
- Staff should always tell someone where they are going and what time they are expecting to return
- Staff should never give out a home telephone number to a service user, unless it has been discussed with the Registered Manager.
General Safety
Staff should always be vigilant in a Service User’s home.
Be careful around the home and keep a look out for possible risks to general safety, i.e. make sure that rugs are not put on slippery floors and that spills are cleared up quickly. If staff have any worries, the Registered Manager must be informed. A set of Health and Safety Guidelines including useful contact numbers is provided in the induction pack.
Complaints and Comments Procedure
Trinity Care and Support has a Complaints policy and procedure a copy of which is provided to both Carers and Support Workers. It undertakes to:
- Acknowledge all written complaints within three working days
- Investigate all and respond within fourteen working days Service Users also have the right to refer complaints to the Board or Bridgend County Borough Personal Services, local County Councillor, local M.P or Ombudsman/Commissioner for Complaints. Trinity Care and Support maintains a register of complaints and compliments, and ensures that all Service users are aware of their right to complain.
Support and Monitoring
Day to day supervision of the staff team is directed by the Registered Manager of the scheme, supported in this by the Trustees.
A bi-annual supervision session is organised with each Support Worker on a one-to-one basis. (Volunteer team meetings are organised as necessary by the Deputy Manager)
Team meeting are held on one evening a quarter.
Risk Assessments
A risk assessment of a Carer’s home and the tasks to be undertaken during a Support Worker’s visit will have been carried out during the Registered Manager’s assessment visit, and all aspects will be looked at from both the Service User’s and the Support Worker’s point of view. However, situations can change quite quickly, and therefore it is essential that the office is kept informed of any changes in health, or any other matter that may be relevant with regard to health and safety at work. Changes in Carers’ and Service Users’ details, situations or health should be addressed to the Registered Manager as soon as is practicable.
It is important that Support Workers have discussed with the Carer and Registered Manager which procedure to follow in the event of the Carer returning late.
Personal details of the Service User including emergency contact numbers, medication details and fire procedures will be provided when a sit is arranged.
Medication
Medication may be given to a Service User only if this service has been arranged between the Registered Manager and the Carer, and documented in the Response Plan and medication permission. If medication is to be given, the Response Plan, and the Medication Policy must be followed at all times, and recorded on the Contact Diary and Marr chart.
