Welcome to Community Services
Community Services is a division of The Disabilities Trust that
provides support and enablement services to people with acquired
brain injury, physical/sensory disability, learning disability and
any autism spectrum disorder. Our services can be provided within
an individuals' own home or within our accommodation based services
nationwide.
We are constantly evolving to seek new and imaginative solutions
for people with disabilities, ensuring greater choice and control,
promoting individualised plans and tailored/flexible services which
are able to meet peoples' specific needs.
Community Services develop with the service users a structured
programme of activity and assistance with planning, organising and
engaging purposefully within the home and local community;
providing a range of pathways for the individual to manage their
own support.
We seek to maximise independence and choice; enabling people to
participate in a wide range of activities, including employment,
vocational education, training, community participation and leisure
pursuits. Other elements include procedural learning, the use
of assistive technology, memory aids, goal setting, involving
family and creating a supportive environment for those with
cognitive deficits as well as physical disabilities.
Brain Injury Community Services
Autism Community Services
Physical Disability Community
Services
Supporting Independence
Planning forms the foundation of the services provided. Planning
tools such as identifying 'circles of support', the network of
people known by an individual including friends, relatives and
others in their life as well as the formal paid staff, are used to
help the person to build their support plan, clearly identifying
individual roles and responsibilities ensuring effective
communication.
A part of the support planning process includes identifying care
partners. These may include housing providers, day care
services, Social Worker, Advocate, transport services, GP, District
Nurse, family/community connections such as local chemist,
hairdresser, chiropodist, newsagent etc. In communication with the
service users' natural networks of support, a relationship map can
then be developed.
"Good support planning and effective partnership working ensures
that professionals and support staff gain a full understanding of
the person and their lifestyle choices. Whether in locating
local community opportunities, challenging negative
attitudes, re-shaping environments, selecting suitable
activities, designing support or managing risk, it is the person
who is almost always the best judge of what is appropriate and
meaningful who therefore should take the lead in designing their
support services "
Our services are provided specific to individual requirements;
Supporting the management of direct payments, and the provision of
a continued support package, ensuring continuous, well planned
services with minimal disruption. It is felt that prevention,
enablement and re-integration is successfully achieved for
individuals, ensuring better outcomes, achieving long term goals
and aspirations and reducing cost to funding authorities.
Many service users will undertake an eligibility assessment
under the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) eligibility criteria
and are offered choice and control over how their support package
is planned and created.
Service users may exercise their right to receive a Direct
Payment from Social Services. Service users may wish to receive
self directed support with the finances managed by the relevant
local authority or may wish to manage their budget themselves.
Community Services can assist service users in managing their
finances. Their support charges can be paid for from various
sources such as:
- Local Authority (Direct Payment)
- Independent Living Fund
- Continuing Healthcare
- Housing Benefit
- Privately funded
We accept referrals from statutory sources such as Health
Authorities and Social Services or directly from the service user
or their representative.
When making a referral to Community Services you can be assured
that in order to meet the unique needs of each person, we develop a
person centred plan tailored specifically to each individuals
needs. We work with and enable each person to develop a
holistic map of support.
For further information or to make a referral please
contact:
Alex Garden,Service Manager
Tel: 01924 896100
Fax: 01924 899264
alex.garden@thedtgroup.org