Avante Care & Support - Inform Newsletter - Issue 22

March 2017 Issue 22

Everyone Matters One aspect of my job that I really enjoy is being able to visit the homes and services to see first hand the excellent work that goes on day by day in caring for our residents and service users.

There is clearly a strong commitment to what you do, providing high quality care to the people we look after.

From time to time we ask our residents and service users to give us feedback on what they think about the care they receive and recently we have had two surveys completed and returned. I’m delighted to say that the results are very positive. Thank you!

In Home Care, service users, families and advocates completed our Annual Quality Assurance Survey. The headlines are that we achieved a 96% approval rating for the overall service received from the Home Care team, and 96% for the actual care that is delivered in service user’s homes. There is no doubt that the warmth of the relationships we have with our service users is the foundation of good care, and so it is particularly pleasing that we scored 100% for two really key questions: ‘Carers allow me to have a say on how care is given to me, my relative or my friend’ and ‘It is easy to talk to carers who visit’. That’s great feedback to have!

The team has worked hard through the year to introduce a new Care and Support Plan and to remind service users of our complaints procedure and so it was good to see improved our scores in these areas, too.

Of course, there is always work to do and areas to improve, for example, only 70% of service users were aware of Avante’s Philosophy of Care. This is something I would like to look at over the next few months for Avante as a whole, so watch this space!

In the homes, our residents and their relatives took part in the annual Your Care Rating survey. This survey takes in the views of over 16,500 care home residents and relatives across the country and is seen as an authoritative guide to opinion on life in care homes. This year, once again, our results are positive with both residents and relatives giving us an overall approval rating of over 80%. Particular congratulations go to Puddingstone Grange who were top scorers in both the Residents’ and the Relatives’ surveys with 93% and 87% respectively. As in Home Care, the importance of relationships came through, with some of our best scores being achieved for ‘Staff treat me with kindness, dignity and respect’ (98%, with five homes scoring 100%) and ‘Staff understand me as an individual’ (95%). Again, this is great feedback.

These results will be shared in more detail with each of the homes and services in the near future, and we will look to see how we can improve for next year. In the meantime, thank you for all you do for those in our care and for demonstrating so clearly that Everyone Matters.

Stuart Cross Managing Director Avante Care & Support

FAREWELL TO STEPAHEAD SUPPORT Avante says goodbye to a highly respected and successful service at the end of March 2017 when, after 22 years, we see the closure of Stepahead Support. Stepahead has helped children, young people and their families to address challenges in their lives, providing many enabling programmes which have led to positive outcomes for them and those around them.

As part of Avante Care & Support, Stepahead has seen many changes during the past 22 years, including rebranding from Moving Forward and Breakthrough into Stepahead Support.

It all began in 1995 in Gravesend with a small project supporting 16 – 21 year olds followed soon after with more Moving Forward services opening up in Thanet to support care leavers and young people needing accommodation. In 1999 we saw the emergence of Breakthrough, a service supporting 8 – 16 year olds and their families. These families were finding life a challenge and this was having a detrimental impact on their relationships and family functioning risking the family breaking up.

Initially set up in Thanet, this service quickly spread to cover all 12 districts in Kent. On the back of the successful outcomes our support generated, commissioners and funders approached us directly to help them support different vulnerable groups. These included support for unaccompanied asylum seekers, Bexley care leavers, Medway refugee groups, students, homeless young people, young parents, offenders, young people not accessing education, young people requiring support with their mental health, rural and isolated communities, young people and families involved with social services and many, many more.

Funding for these projects initially came almost exclusively through grants from local authorities with additional funds secured through small local grants and Big Lottery. Around 2010 this changed with the introduction of competitive tendering at a time when Local Authorities found their available funds reduced. This was passed on to organisations they commissioned which saw funding being cut dramatically and services shrink. Stepahead applied to be included on a

MEDIATION COUNSELLING THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS LANGUAGE SKILLS SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION COMMUNITY PROJECTS

YOUTH CLUBS DROP IN CENTRES ADVICE AND GUIDANCE GROUP WORK CRISIS SUPPORT ONE TO ONE SUPPORT

FINDING YOUR FEET ROUTE 25 ETHELBERT CRESCENT CRISIS INTERVENTION RAPID RESPONSE FATHERS IN THANET FIRST BASE COMMUNITY IMPACT MADDISON HOUSE framework of providers in Kent, and was proud to be included ranked 2nd in the County in the tendering process. We were also a member of Kent’s first commissioned Consortium delivering the Young Healthy Minds service.

Over recent years, the reliance on Local Authority funding was to be Stepahead’s downfall coupled with the commissioners lack of acknowledgement of small organisations past success. Stepahead is highly regarded by commissioners and all stakeholders and this has been said to us many times. Unfortunately, reputation does not have any influence on how contracts are tendered and commissioned. With income reducing and contracts ending, the difficult decision was made to close Stepahead Support and enable Avante to concentrate on core business.

This will never detract, however, from the positive outcomes that have been achieved and the number of children, young people and families who have seen positive and long lasting changes in their lives. It is impossible to put an accurate figure on how many people have been supported in their lives by Stepahead but it is in excess of 25,000! These positive outcomes have come through the use of person centred and solution focused methods that put the child, young person or their family at the centre of support and treat each person as an important individual.

Although I hold the title of Managing Director now, I came into the organisation as a Family Mediator just over 16 years ago and spent many happy years in frontline operations. I understand the challenges faced by staff everyday working with vulnerable, unpredictable, troubled and labelled young people and can only have admiration for the work they do now.

BREAKTHROUGH PLUS C4WARD YOUNG HEALTHY MINDS RURAL YOUTH MEDWAY YOUNG PEOPLES HOUSING TIME TO TALK CONNEXIONS PA FAMILY SUPPORT

I have seen staff deal with distressing situations, scary incidents and dangerous environments, but I have also witnessed a lot of laughter and happy times that will stay with me for ever.

Over the years we’ve led a large variety of activities with the young people and their families; we’ve entered carnivals, kept an allotment, climbed mountains, visited France, cooked hundreds of cakes, pedalled a smoothy bike, sailed boats, played games, recorded music and singing cds, delivered workshops, held mediation sessions, provided counselling and therapeutic interventions, offered advice and guidance, been a shoulder to cry on and an opportunity to celebrate success and we even made a DVD about homelessness.

I am proud to have been part of a truly great service that throughout its existence has stayed true to its mission to ‘Make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and their families and communities through tailored, specialist support.’ This has only been possible due to the dedication, hard work, passion, determination and ‘never give up’ attitude of the many staff who have worked for Stepahead over the past 22 years. Although it is incredibly sad that Stepahead Support will no longer be around it most definitely will not be forgotten. The legacy of the support that has been provided will live on through the lives of the children, young people and families who have been supported by us for generations to come.

Carolyn McVittie Managing Director Stepahead Support

Bridge Haven Care Centre opened its doors to new visitors, family and friends on 4th March, welcoming the general public to visit the home and take part in the activities and entertainment.

In the main area inside the home musical entertainment was provided for the duration of the Open Day, provided by the amazing “Glenda”, a local and well liked entertainer. Everyone sang songs and encouraged residents and staff alike to sing and dance, even play on the musical instruments as well.

During the Open Day we had two very generous volunteers who gave a lot of their spare time to Bridge Haven, serving tea, coffee and cakes in our lovely outdoor log tea cabin, making sure everyone enjoyed their visit. Afternoon tea was also served in our central lounge and enjoyed by everybody, especially the home made cake and biscuits.

Bridge Haven’s micro pub was frequented by both residents and relatives proving itself to be a great addition to the home and its residents. We also held a raffle, with family and friends taking part, helping to raise £100 for the home.

Our staff received some very positive feedback from people who attended our Open Day with regard to the care and happiness of our residents, friendliness and helpfulness of our staff, the warm and caring atmosphere within the home and the activities and festivities that we laid on for our Open Day were well received.

Fiona Russell Receptionist Bridge Haven

DEDICATION, PASSION AND HARD WORK this certificate is awarded to this certificate is awarded to

Karen KarenAmal Amal in recognition of

in recognition your dedication, passion andofhard work your dedication, passion and hard work

ZOOLAB VISIT RIVERDALE COURT Everyone was delighted when Zoolab visited, who brought with them an assortment of creepy crawlies. Residents had no problem handling and touching the fascinating creatures, ranging from cockroaches to large lizards.

ZooLab provide animal handling experiences like never before and the residents of Riverdale Court won’t forget their visit in a hurry!

Karan Amal was awared the Amherst Star in February, an award at Amherst Court that recognises the great work and dedication that staff perform.

Karan recieved her award in February from Lorraine Eastmead, General Manager who said “Karen is really focused on her residents and always very cheerful, she brings a breath of fresh air when she works and goes over and above”.

ELVIS MAKES AN APPEARANCE Weybourne had a great time with their Valentine’s party that included a very special guest who provided everyone with a great time.

RIVERDALE COURT PUB LUNCH Residents from Riverdale Court enjoyed a lovely pub lunch. One thing they all agreed on at the end was that they wanted to visit again.

MOTHER’S DAY AT PUDDINGSTONE GRANGE

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

Jacqueline Morris

Avante Care & Support recognises that throughout each year individual members of staff reach a milestone or achieve success that is worthy of special recognition.

Avante Care & Support invited those staff members that had achieved long service or a work related qualification to celebrate that success together.

Linda Cherrison Karan Richards Sammie Dwyer

Informal receptions were held in January and February at the Bexley Homecare Office and at Head Office, Faversham where members of staff were invited to attend.

Derek Lindars, HR Director, opened the ceremonies and staff received their certificates of achievement from our Patron, Bob Bushell.

Adam Bradley

Stuart Cross, Managing Director, gave his personal thanks to the staff for their contribution to the success of the organisation and for making a positive difference to the lives of the people we care for and support.

We were also delighted to welcome Mary Wells and Susan Hobbs to our Kent Event. Mary and Susan are residents at Pilgrims View. We were also joined by Lorraine Butler from IPS International and Lauren Antwis from Unique Training Solutions who have supported our staff in their learning. We hope they all enjoyed sharing in our celebrations.

We look forward to more Celebrating Success events next year.

Caroline O'Shea Training Officer Avante Care & Support

Name

Award

Servic e Director of Long Service – 20 years Quality Standards Long Service – 20 years Kent Homecare Level 5 Diploma

Learning & Development

Level 5 Diploma

HR

Julie Pilcher Donna Saunders

Fully qualified Member of the Association of Finance Accounting Technicians Level 3 Advanced Kent Homecare Apprenticeship Level 3 Advanced Amherst Court Apprenticeship Level 3 Advanced Amherst Court Apprenticeship Level 3 Advanced Kent Homecare Apprenticeship Level 3 Advanced Kent Homecare Apprenticeship

Lisa Adams

Level 3 Diploma

Theresa Arnold

Lauren Gilchrist Chelsea Lee - Amies Kaya Knight Kazia Fraser Anne Nicholson Melissa Smart Nicola Pearce

Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Leve l 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Leve l 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Leve l 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Pilgrims View

Anita Elwin

Level 2 Diploma

Pil grims View

Level 2 Diploma

Pilgrims View

Level 2 Diploma

Pilgrims View

Level 2 Diploma

Pilgrims View

Nicola Allen Kerry - Anne Jackson Lee Dunn

Lisa Berry

Maxine Morris Lacey Burnett Julie Rogers

Bridge Haven Amherst Court Amherst Court Amherst Court Pilgrims View Pilgrims View Kent Homecare Kent Homecare Kent Homecare

Name

Award Service Long Service Saida Calloo Puddingstone Award - 20 years Christin e Long Service Bexley Lynch Award - 20 years Homecare Long Service Bexley Julie Sloan Award - 20 years Homecare Siobhan Long Service Puddingstone Reilly Award - 20 years Long Service Bexley Avril Clark Award – 30 years Homecare Samantha Avante Staff Leve l 5 Diploma Gibbs Bank Michele Bexley Level 5 Diploma Lawrence Homecare Level 3 Advanced Maisy Bexley Apprenticeship Maffia Homecare Lynda McCullough Chelsea Charles Bradley Harding Nicola Haylett Tia Maria Lower Sarah Munn Denise Whitely Veronica Barnes Allyson Davis Modupe Fadina Andrea Mason Tracey Trent Razia Faruqui, Fatimah Isamot Selina Fosu

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship L evel 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship Level 3 Diploma Level 3 Diploma Level 3 Diploma Level 3 Diploma Level 3 Diploma Level 2 Diploma Level 2 Diploma Certificate in Safe Handling of Medicines

Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Avante Staff Bank Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare Bexley Homecare/ASB Riverdale