Victoria Bouamama, a Registered Care Manager and CareTech Foundation Trustee, discusses the empowering impact of supported living services in fostering independence.
As someone who has been actively involved in the care sector both professionally and as a trustee for a care sector charity, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of personalised care, particularly in supported living. In a sector that has often been overlooked until recently, the impact of personalised care has remained largely unknown to the broader public. Fortunately, as society begins to shift its perspective in the post-COVID era, perceptions are changing. However, this change in perspective can only be truly powerful when people fully understand the impact. So, what does personalised care in supported living actually look like?
Supported Living Services strive to support individuals in their own homes to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, build community resilience, and make informed decisions and choices in their lives. These services provide opportunities to empower individuals with more complex needs, giving them greater control over the care they receive. To achieve this, providers like myself must consider many components to ensure that such outcomes are achieved. Key outcomes include shared decision-making, personalised care and support planning, enabling choice (including legal rights to choose), social prescribing and community-based support, budget management, and supported self-management.
This all starts when the individual considers our services as their new home. They are initially assessed with full involvement, providing them with detailed information about the service and setting clear expectations of our team. If we are unable to meet their requirements, we are open and honest about the reasons, ensuring they can make an informed decision about their accommodation and support options. If the individual is satisfied with the provision, we support them in meeting the team, visiting the service, and spending time to ensure they fully understand what is being offered.
In the past, individuals supported by our services would have remained in long-stay hospitals due to their needs, putting pressure on the NHS and other services due to the long-term effects of their environment and the lack of autonomy over their health needs. It was recognised that long-stay hospitals were having detrimental effects on individuals residing there, leading to lasting mental health complications and impacting their physical health and wellbeing. Therefore, it was identified that the right to access external support from the individual’s own home, as evidenced by practice, supported recovery. This approach is based on what matters to the individual, with health professionals utilising specialisms to provide the best service—right support at the right time. Individuals can then build relationships with external professionals, such as community teams, reassuring them that the support they receive is from professionals who know them well and understand their needs.
Achieving such outcomes requires that the individual is at the centre of everything important to them. They must be involved in all planning and risk management related to their health and wellbeing, including their entire life and family situations. For example, if they are leaving their home instead of the hospital, how will the family be supported? What is their involvement, and how can this relationship be maintained? As part of this process, we must recognise the person’s skills and strengths, their experiences, and the things that matter to them. As a provider, we must support the individual in identifying outcomes, goals, and actions, and ensure these are achieved.
The benefits of such support allow us to value people as active participants and experts by experience. By understanding their own health and wellbeing, and reflecting on their achievements and solutions to their needs, we can improve the chances of successfully supporting them, promoting good levels of health and wellbeing. Consequently, this improves mental health, reduces the need for hospitalisation, and relieves pressure on the NHS. These support plans are shared among all professionals involved with the individual, eliminating the need to constantly repeat information. This also ensures that the individual is known to all provisions in their lives through a community-based personalised care package. This approach views people as “whole persons” and promotes their access to, and involvement with, healthcare teams, as they are fully empowered and respected.
In practice, as a provider, we strive to support our individuals in a personalised way. We consider protective characteristics and embrace the diversity of the people we support, recognising that we all have the ability to develop and learn from each other. Several individuals we support are part of our training team, providing guidance and training to staff teams and external professionals as part of our “expert by experience” programme. This includes individuals who have spent long periods in hospitals being treated for their mental health needs. Thanks to collaboration and support through personalised care and transitioning care programmes, they now live fulfilling lives in their own homes, with minimal support unless they request it.
Another individual is a care leaver from children’s services who felt their support teams never understood their sexuality, always feeling the need to hide their true self. Now, they are part of the LGBTQ support group of trainers, sharing their experiences of growing up in care and enjoying the freedom to be themselves without judgment. These individuals have reflected on their past experiences, where their mental health and wellbeing were compromised, and where they are now—having control over their personalised care packages, with proven positive outcomes for all involved.
The transformative power of personalised care in supported living is undeniable. By placing individuals at the centre of their care, we not only honour their unique needs and preferences but also empower them to lead fulfilling lives with greater autonomy. The shift towards personalised care has demonstrated significant benefits, from enhancing mental health and wellbeing to reducing the strain on healthcare systems. As we continue to embrace and refine this approach, it is crucial to recognise and celebrate the diverse experiences and strengths that individuals bring. Ultimately, by fostering an environment of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their own home, supported by a community that truly understands and values them.
@CareTechFdn
caretechfoundation.org.uk
