Participation of Users and Carers.

Hayfield Support Services operates on a system which actively encourages and requires the participation and agreement of service users, their carers, advocates and representatives.  This participation is sought both in terms of care planning and goal-setting for individuals, and for the development of services, activities and the environment of the organisation as a whole.

The application, assessment and admission process operated by Hayfield Support Services, requires the agreement and co-operation of the service user, their carers, advocates and representatives of the referring authority.

The initial application is instigated by a referring authority (usually a social work / social services department or health authority), who accept responsibility for funding the placement, and who are expected to be involved and to contribute to all reviews and decisions regarding the service user

The formal application process will require the applicant or their representatives to provide details of their personal, family and social background, including information about their medical history and any occurrences of challenging behaviour and how this was managed.

Hayfield provides information about policies, procedures and services available.  This provision may include visits by the prospective service user, their carers, advocates and representatives.

All prospective service users  undertake an initial six-week assessment placement, during which time their abilities and needs might be identified.  Where possible, close contact with carers, advocates and representatives is encouraged (though it is acknowledged that distance can sometimes be a challenge).

Following the assessment period, all relevant individuals and agencies are encouraged to meet with the applicant and staff to discuss and decide whether a placement at Hayfield Support Services is appropriate,  and to set the initial goals for any such placement.  All such information will be included in an individualised Care Plan and Risk Assessment.

The service user, their carers, advocates and representatives  have access to day care and residential reports prepared for the initial assessment meeting, and all subsequent review meetings.

Service users are encouraged to take part in the drafting of assessment and review reports and in the preparation of care plans and risk assessments.  The details of these reports are relayed to the service user in an appropriate medium.

Where a service user has a history of using challenging behaviour and practical plans have been developed to avoid or minimise these occurrences, information about these plans will be explained to the individual and their representatives.

In all instances in which physical intervention is used with a service user, that individual will be given an explanation as to why the intervention was used, and will have access to examination for any physical or emotional consequences.

Sign language interpretation is available at all meetings involving Deaf people.

Service users are encouraged to participate in discussions and decision-making regarding group services and activities in the residences and day-centre.

Service users are also encouraged to make their own choices with regards to the decoration and furnishing of their own personal space.  This would include the possibility of bringing in some of their own furniture / fittings, as well as choosing wallpaper / colour schemes themselves.