Referrals to Witham Valley Care Group are normally made via the local Social Services or Health Department accountable for their welfare. However, in case of individualised budgets referrals may be made by prospective clients themselves or their advocates.

The principal criteria before Witham Valley Care Group can consider a referral is that the prospective client has been statemented as having learning disabilities. A Care Needs Assessment will then take place to ensure that Witham Valley Care Group is the most suitable agency for the prospective clients needs. The care needs assessment is based on the needs of the client and therefore to enable the agency to get a complete overview of the support package required clients and their representatives will be required to answer questions relating to their personal and intimate care requirements.

On acceptance a contract will be drawn up between the placement authority or client and Witham Valley Care Group.

A care plan will be developed and agreed with each client and/or their representatives prior to the provision of care by the agency. The care plan is specific to the client and the agreed levels of care and support which are to be provided by the agency. A client risk assessment will also be developed at this stage. Both documents are subject to review and as such treated as ‘live’ documents. A copy of the clients Care Plan and Risk Assessment is kept in the clients file in the main office as well as in the client’s home. Witham Valley Care Group does not provide nursing care. Support staff undertake training in Makaton sign language, the PECS communication system and these two systems can be offered to clients with limited or no vocal communication skills. Normally, those clients would be pre-schooled in some form of signing skills. However, if necessary specialised therapy can be provided and this would be agreed at pre-contract stage. Only under very exceptional circumstances would any emergency care arrangements be accepted.

Delivery of Service

• Personal and Intimate Care – Support and assistance to bathe, wash, dress, grooming, feeding and personal hygiene.

• Developing Independence Skills – Supporting and assisting clients to develop the necessary skills required to look after and run their own home i.e. cleaning, washing up, laundry tasks, tidying the home, cooking, making drinks.  Supporting clients who have chosen to take advantage of the ASDAN towards independence scheme to complete their portfolios.

• Assisting and accompanying clients to complete shopping – assisting clients to make shopping lists, accompanying clients to the shops and assisting them to complete their shopping, helping them to put shopping away in appropriate places.

• Access services and facilities within the local community – accompanying clients to attend selected college courses, supporting clients whilst undertaking leisure pursuits i.e. swimming, gym, visiting places of interest, bowling, cinema etc.

Our clients are supported to participate as fully as possible in the day to day running of their home. With the help of care workers they are supported to adhere to a budget, shop, cook and complete their housework.