Care provider

[redsails]

My son has complex learning and physical disabilities and autism. He lives in a self contained flat alongside 9 other people in a supported living environment and each person has a regular team of support workers some of whom have been there for many years. The care provider has introduced a new policy stating that staff can be moved from one service provision to another with only 7 days notice. The staff are naturally upset about this and I don’t see how this new policy fits in with the term ‘person centred support’ Does anyone know if this common policy among care providers?

[Shue Community friend]

Hi, from what you say the care providers seem to be putting staffing needs before those of the residents. Could you possibly email the care providers and make it known it will not fit in with your sons needs as consistency of carers is a key element in his wellbeing and to the other residents too. Worth a try. Let us know how you get on. All the best.

[redsails in reply to Shue]

Hello Shue, thanks for your reply. Myself and other relatives have regular meetings with the care provider and we raised this at our last meeting. They told us it was part of the employees contract and that most other care providers operate the same policy. As I don’t know anyone who works for a different provider I don’t know if that is correct, nor have I seen a copy of the employees contract so it may well be the case. However, we won’t let it drop as we know consistency of support, especially for people with autism is extremely important and we don’t know how our care provider can get away with saying they provide person centred support if they operate such a policy. I suspect it’s a way of moving unsuitable staff from one place to another without having to deal with the process of employment law and being accused of unfair dismissal.

[Shue Community friend in reply to redsails]

Good for you. Our loved ones need us to be their voice and who knows their needs better than us. I hope you can find a solution that suits all.