Good physical development
ACS Plus clients are supported in developing key life skills to help them understand the importance of personal hygiene, medication and daily physical improvement.
Sleep is just as important to our health as eating, drinking and breathing. It allows our bodies to repair themselves and our brains to consolidate our memories and process information. Poor sleep is linked to physical problems such as a weakened immune system and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
As such, some of our supported living homes have:
- special blue-light-free bulbs
- black out curtains/blinds in bedrooms
- memory foam mattresses
- anti-allergy pillows
- chemical-free bedding
- optimal heating and ventilation
Medication
Some clients are advised (for example by their GP, local Pharmacist, Community Nurse etc,) to take medicine(s) either regularly, or on an occasional basis, in order to maintain or improve their health. The taking of medicines forms part of the initial needs assessment, ACS Plus provides and completes daily MAR charts and records with clients who require medication, even if the medication is self-administered.
ACS Plus will always try to encourage and maintain independence, through the client’s own self-administration of medicines, but will provide assistance, as needed.
Personal relationships – your choice
Everyone has the right to a personal and social life of their choice. We are passionate about supporting people with learning disabilities to have positive relationships of all types. Our entire ACS Plus team are fully trained to support people with their personal relationship needs. Our training has been specially devised in conjunction with Supported Loving Network and our unique LGBTQI+ training. All training, policies and procedures have been developed within the frame work of the Care Act 2014, Sex Offences Act 2003, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Human Rights Act and the 2019 CQC relationship guidelines. Our relationship and sexuality policy has also been developed to work with families, to build positive relationships and reduce parental worries.
Supported learning and education
At ACS Plus we work with colleges and other training facilities to offer educational opportunities and flexible, individualised pathways for learning.We support people to secure funding, enrol, and attend full-time or part-time courses to help them prepare for work and life.Courses range in variety from graphic design, gardening and ICT to a BTEC Level 1 work skills qualification.
Personal, financial and social development
Our clients are supported in developing key life skills to help them understand the importance of going out in their local community, managing their own budgets and finances (where possible) and accessing training, education and employment opportunities.
We support with access to local facilities; and integration into the local community.
There is access to public transport systems and pedestrian walkways and we make sure that no one is isolated from their family, friends or other support.
There is also access to planned, weekly social events and trips, as well as holidays.
Life Skills Training:
We help our clients with developing key life skills, in whichever way they need, that could be:
• Assistance with preparing shopping list, going shopping
• Assistance with budgeting for food, bills, clothing, recreation etc
• Escorting to appointments and shopping
• Help with cleaning home and making bed
• Laundering & clothing and bedding etc
• Mending, sewing and ironing clothing
• Prompting and supervision with personal hygiene
• Assistance with benefits/bills
• Accessing welfare benefits
• Filling out forms etc
• Ensuring rent and other bills, debts etc are paid
• Opening up bank account
• Accessing professional help & liaison with other agencies
• Accessing training, education & employment opportunities
• Accessing recreational facilities
• Accessing specialist counselling services
• Registering with GPs, Dentist, and Opticians etc.
• Arranging and attending appointments
• Liaising with social worker, doctors, chemist etc
• Operating & maintaining kitchen equipment safely
• Advise on fire safety
• Food hygiene and storage:
• Arranging for repairs & servicing of personal equipment etc
• Reporting repairs and maintenance issues to landlord
• Arranging prescriptions and medication collection from chemist
• Dealing with emotional difficulties (informal counselling)
• Befriending & chatting with users/guest
• Assisting with religious and cultural observances
• Assistance with maintaining contact with family and friends
The above list is not exhaustive. Other areas may be introduced and/or the existing tasks itemised may be revised or withdrawn in accordance with future developments. A contract for our services can include any combination of the above tasks as identified in an individual’s needs assessment and care plan.