Asperger's Syndrome Services |
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Regard is committed to empowering individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. We enable them to develop daily living skills and relationships, as well as increase their confidence, by transferring the skills learnt in one environment to another through careful planning and support, using many different methods and approaches.
Person-centred planning
At Regard, we believe that one size does not fit all, so each package of support is specifically designed around the person’s precise and individual needs. We aim to provide support which encourages the person to meet their own goals and aspirations, along with providing positive risk management.
We recognise that people with Asperger’s Syndrome are, in a sense, more vulnerable, as their disability is less obvious than someone with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Because of this, we need to ensure that the support we provide enables people to live full lives, while keeping them safe and healthy.
Some positive traits associated with Asperger’s Syndrome are honesty, reliability, dedication and determination, and we work with people to ensure that these qualities are positively reinforced.
Support
We understand that people with Asperger’s Syndrome have difficulties with social communication, interaction and imagination, as well as a love of routine, a consistent structure is important in their daily plan.
Regard has an established system for prompting for delays and changes in routine, and we support the Service User through transitional worries during the day or leading up to a new task, activity or relationship.
Individuals are empowered to access employment, gain social skills and develop confidence through structured routines and understanding, with activities planned in advance.
We anticipate potential triggers in social situations and work with the individual to develop practical coping strategies, as well as relaxation and de-escalation techniques to reduce anxiety levels. Our staff are trained to provide clear, concise verbal and non-verbal communication through photos, flash cards, social stories and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). This avoids confusion and raised levels of anxiety.
We also use communication passports, which present the person positively as an individual and tell us how they communicate most effectively. As a result, we know what they need, even if they have language difficulties.
Partnership Working
We believe that in order to support people with Asperger’s Syndrome we must listen to what they tell us, and how they want to be supported. It is incredibly important to also seek guidance from an individual’s circle of support and professionals that know the person well. We believe that in order to support people successfully we must:
- Ensure integrated working practices
- Share information with professionals to improve support
As a specialist provider, we work with in partnership with Speech and Language Teams, Communication Facilitators, Psychologists, Employment Advisers, Advocates and Health Professionals. This ensures we have the best practical advice to support the person and that the decisions made are in their best interest.
Quality assurance
In accordance with the framework set out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in Wales, as well as our own robust internal quality assessment processes, we are dedicated to maintaining high standards.
The Regard carries out quality audits every four weeks at every service address, as well as yearly service level risk assessments and six-monthly health and safety visits. Our systems ensure that the resultant reports are produced on a professional and objective basis, with no manager assessing their own service.
CQC’s latest inspection proved that the quality of our services is well above the national average. 91 percent of our homes rated as good or excellent compared to the national average of 78 percent.
Training and development
At Regard, we recognise that staff training and development is pivotal in providing the best care and support. Our staff teams are experienced and knowledgeable about the unique needs of people with Asperger’s Syndrome.
We are committed to providing our employees with a personal development plan right from their first day, with ongoing training and development. This covers the different communication tools we use, as well as improving their knowledge of specific conditions that affect Service Users. We employ Trainers with specific conditions, who can tell us what it is like to live with the condition.
We require staff to undertake training and have skills in the following areas:
- National Autistic Society (NAS) accredited training programme
- Supporting Others through Volunteer Action (SOVA)
- Health support skills based on the individual
- Consistency and calmness
- Intensive interaction
- Total communication
- De-escalation approaches
- Analytical and negotiation capacities
- Patience and acceptance of differences
- Understanding and management of anxiety levels
Regard utilises mentoring and coaching to develop its employees, and addresses the issues of staff burnout and stress.
Benefits department
As claiming benefits and filling in the relevant paperwork can be a daunting prospect, Regard has developed a unique specialist service for the individuals living in both supported living and residential services.
Our Benefits Team comprises former employees of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), who are able to navigate the complex claims system. They use their experience and years of knowledge to demystify the complex processes, as well as keeping themselves fully up to date with government policy and changes in the law.
The team is keen to help our Service Users maximise the money they can claim, while enabling Care Managers, Support Workers and family members to concentrate on more important things.
To find out more please contact us.
