Culture of Care
Care expertise is what our group of specialist residential care homes provide; we work with individuals, their families and their care teams to establish a programme of personalised care and support that is designed to maximise potential, develop self-esteem, promote independence and improve the overall quality of life.
The Care Expertise Group is expanding its list of residential care homes to open more doors to more adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, challenging behaviour and other complex conditions. Our Care Programmes and Skills Development Centres are changing lives for the better thanks to the quality of our people who provide care with patience, understanding and dignity.
Residential Care Homes
Norcrest
Located in Norbury, South London, Norcrest is a Specialist Care Home for people with moderate learning disabilities, autism, challenging behaviour and/or other complex needs. >> read more
Spring Lake
Located in Wembley, North London, Spring Lake is a Specialist Care Home for people with moderate to severe autism, learning disabilities, Communication and Sensory impairments challenging behaviour and/or other complex needs. It is particularly suitable for individuals with communication and sensory needs who require high staffing levels.>> read more
Oak Field
Located in West Croydon, Oak Field is a Specialist Care Home for people with learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge and other complex needs.>> read more
Retreat Lodge
Located in a residential area of Thornton Heath, Surrey, with good links to community facilities. Retreat Lodge is a Specialist Care Home offering an innovative therapeutic living environment for people experiencing mental health issues. >> read more
Care Programme
Individuals are at the centre of all planning processes and decisions about their lives. We work with them, their families and their care teams to create a personalised care programme that is designed to maximise potential, improve self-esteem, promote independence and enhance the quality of life. The care programmes are flexible to respond to changing needs and levels of functioning with clear progressive objectives agreed and regularly monitored.
Pre-admission assessment
We carry out our pre-admission assessment in the client’s residence within two working days of acceptance, wherever possible.
Right environment
By creating the right environment within our residential care homes, individuals can feel secure with the time and space to progress at their own pace; physically, emotionally and intellectually.
Socialisation
Community engagement, education, recreation and involvement with local support groups all form part of our socialisation programmes.
Sensory sensitivity
Positive management methods such as de-escalating challenging behaviour are complemented by the use of sensory rooms and a commitment to non-restrictive physical intervention.
Communication
We regularly seek the views of our clients, their families, carers and other professionals to help us improve the quality and effectiveness of our care and to maximise the potential of every individual client.
Health and Risk
Healthcare is provided by General Practitioners; community based services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, community nursing, psychiatry and psychology are available via our local learning-disability teams. Risk assessments are comprehensive and regularly reviewed.
Food and diet
There is a clear link between a good diet and well-being; we accommodate a range of dietary requirements for cultural, religious, health and medical reasons. Meal choices are as flexible as possible, to take account of individual preferences and tastes.
Quality Assurance
The Care Expertise Quality Assurance Standards ensure an effective and efficient system for monitoring, evaluation and continual improvement of our service delivery.
Skills Development Centres
All our Residential Care Homes have their own on-site Skills Development Centre. Individually tailored programmes enable our clients to develop independent living and communication skills and to learn how to integrate with others.
Skills development programmes are undertaken on-site and also within the community. Progress is regularly reviewed with the aim of helping clients with:
- Communication
- Socialisation
- Making choices
- Developing independence
- Community integration
- Differentiating between objects
Each Skills Development Centre offers activities to suit particular needs and abilities, complemented by agreed progressive goals that are supported by:
- Sensory room facilities for managing challenging behaviour
- Use of TEACCH and PECS programmes and techniques
Family, Advocates and Care Managers will receive regular reviews including written reports that detail the current programme and comment on the client’s participation in various activities. Depending on the phase of the programme, the reports may also include photographs and videos.
Staffing
All our Residential Care Homes are staffed on a 24-hour basis with waking night staff. Our people receive comprehensive training with a high proportion achieving NVQ qualifications. Trained in autism awareness, diffusing violence and managing challenging behaviour, our employees undergo specialist training in person-centred programmes, functional behaviour analysis, augmented communication and the visual communication systems listed below:
- TEACCH Autism programme
- PROACT SCIPr UK
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
