Case Study: Empowering Individuals Through Supported Volunteering
On Wednesday 4 September, Surrey Choices is celebrating #ProfessionalCareWorkersDay, a day to celebrate the fantastic care workers who go above and beyond to deliver quality care and support to the individuals we support.
We spoke to our colleagues at Short Breaks in Banstead, Surrey, our respite service for those with care and support needs. We asked the team what a typical day looks like at Short Breaks, here’s what our Registered Manager, Hannah told us:
A typical day? There isn’t such a thing! My days are extremely varied. On Monday I worked with the staff team to oversee the transition of a young lady into Short Breaks with challenging behaviour, this has been six weeks in the planning. It was really important the team managed this well and that the ladies first experience of the service was a positive one. On Sunday, we also welcomed a gentleman into Short Breaks as part of a planned discharge with our local hospital. There had been significant changes to this person’s support plan and risk assessment. These changes were implemented on his arrival. On Monday the team liaised with the individuals GP, dietitian and family. I had the responsibility of overseeing changes, signing these off and updating social services. We will now be supporting the assessment process for this person as they will be moving on to a new home following this extended visit and period of reablement. More liaising with social services; we’re supporting a long-term placement to explore supported living options and agreeing support plans for two new customers coming into service, admin (invoicing and month end), recruitment, rota’s and two more assessments booked.
Next, we heard from Marina, Senior Support Worker and Alison, Support Worker, who said their days are “challenging, rewarding, and interesting”.
A typical day would be; handover, allocation and plan for the day. Administration of medication, personal care and breakfast. If people are leaving, we sign all medication out and ensure all personal belongings are signed out with them. After breakfast the day belongs to the individual, we could access the community, play games, bake, start an art project, anything that takes the customers fancy. Lunch can be in or out. We support some individuals to cook whilst other prefer to be cooked for. The afternoon is more free time, individuals can choose activities of their interest. Dinner, again this can be in or out, supported or not. The level of support varies hugely from individual to individual, some are independent and require emotional support whilst others have profound and complex needs, these customers will require significant support throughout the day to ensure their needs are met. When we’re not working directly with customers we are liaising with GP’s, dietitian, social workers, families and community teams. We book people in, sign people out, manage transport arrangements and complete daily finance and medication checks. We have daily environmental checks and duties to complete too. There’s housekeeping, turning bedrooms around between visits and maintaining a clean environment. Finally, we update customers daily handover notes, bowel charts, fluid charts, health monitoring (epilepsy) and ABC’s for those with challenging behaviour. Senior’s will also complete in-house audits and supervisions. They will also require oversight of the rota. All staff take responsibility for updating the customer board and preparing for the next arrival.
And Finally, Acting Deputy Manager Emma told us how the job never has a dull moment!
All of the above, plus administrative duties. Updating support plans, risk assessments, undertaking assessments and completing DOLS applications….The list is endless! This job is really fast paced and constantly changing, you don’t get time to be bored. It’s extremely rewarding to see people enjoy their visits, learn new skills or try a new activity for the first time.
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