INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION ENVIRONMENT

At The Conifers, the Registered Manager Gill Oliver and The House Manager Donna Smith manager Diane Williams work closely with the staff to develop individual language and listening skills to enhance the capacity of each client. We believe that communication is vital for the individual’s progression and offer an inclusive communication environment. All staff at The Conifers make use of standard speech, symbols, objects of reference, photographic tools, social stories, technology and other communication aids. It is here that life skills and the promotion of independence is facilitated enabling individuals to approach tasks in structured achievable steps, working at their own pace. This creates a positive atmosphere for new learning and development to take place.

For new clients we discuss in depth any disability or communication needs or protected characteristics they have. We request any available information from their family and professionals e.g. speech and language, behaviour therapist, psychiatrist or community nurses. Once we identify the communication needs of a client we work closely with them in developing appropriate communication tools and methods of working in a person centred way. We also encourage the use of technology as a means to enable greater communication. This information is recorded in our initial Care Plan, which is revised as the placement progresses. Each clients’ ‘All About Me’ document also indicates preferred forms of communication., e.g. for some clients we are careful with the speed of our speech, the need for repetition, to limit the amount of information in an exchange and to check their understanding.

We believe that active listening is a major aid to good communication and staff aim to demonstrate a patient, non-judgemental and interested response to clients' communications.

Our clients ways of engaging with their families have changed since the start of 2020 and we have supported their virtual communications through the use of mobile phones and messaging, and by using laptops and iPads for emails, facebook and zoom.

We aim to keep our clients as informed as possible in terms of their residency, rights and current conditions and they all have copies of our illustrated documents, e.g. ‘The Conifers Brochure’ and ‘Your Guide: The Conifers’; ‘My Photographs and Videos: Permissions’; ‘Client Complaints and Compliments Procedures’; ‘Protect yourself from Covid’ and ‘Coronavirus Updates’; Surveys, e.g. ‘Keeping you safe from germs’, ‘I live my life the best possible way’, ‘My House is Well led’; Newsletters and memos.

Clients are asked for their consent to share information and images. If they do not have the mental capacity to understand this then their Representative will respond in the client’s best interest. When taking photos or videos of clients’ activities staff use a house camera or phone so that the data remains inhouse.

We offer families and friends the opportunity to share our experiences at The Conifers and enable this in every way possible, subject to the clients’ agreement. We encourage the clients to share their home and activities with the people they love; so, we host events several times a year to enable all families to get to know each other better.