Support Service Tracey Turnbull is the Registered Manager and Service Lead for our Support Service in the Scottish Borders. Aims of the service To provide a Support Service for adults from 16 years, with physical and learning disabilities to participate in a broad range of outcome-focused opportunities that are provided within a building setting and community-based settings, to support and maximise learning and independence skills. The service also provides an alternative to respite support to families and people we support. The support service provides support from our Connects Hub in Galashiels, which allows a base for people to have a safe and welcoming environment. The Hub has a range of opportunities we have developed and will continue to grow and develop. Activity Kitchen Sensory Room Activity Room Physio and Therapy Room Tech and multi-Media Room Common Room Sensory Garden Meeting Room Regular NHS Borders Health Care Professionals Monthly ‘Cuppa & Catch Up’ event – open for families to attend Monthly ‘Door Open Days’ (last Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm) – open for everyone to attend Taster events and short-term activities On site leadership Community Based Support Opportunities Our dedicated support team will explore community-based activities which will include opportunities for learning, developing independence skills, healthy and positive wellbeing activities, and fun. Some of our existing opportunities are: Swimming Gym Boccia Art Groups Music Groups Day Trips Active Citizenship Opportunities We work hard to meet Scottish Government Health and Social Care Standards by ensuring the following: I experience high quality care and support that is right for me The support service will continually review and assess the support we provide to people through formal and informal review meetings. This is to ensure that we support the assessment and review of people’s needs, wishes and aspirations which is then reflected within Personal Plans and other support documentation. As a branch we also provide Customer Surveys and My Quality Questionnaire to people we support, family members/carers to further gather responses which support continual service improvement. I am fully involved in all decisions about my care and support People we support are encouraged to be active within their local community and with peers, which supports existing relationships and provides opportunities for people we support to meet new peers. Colleagues encourage people we support to maintain and build on their existing skills, promoting independence, in all aspects of their support. I have confidence in the people who support and care for me Our dedicated support team have mandatory e-learning and classroom-based courses that are completed as standard and refreshed regularly. Furthermore, service-specific training has also been assigned to each team to ensure the needs of everyone is being met. All colleagues have fully completed all recruitment/employment checks which includes: PVG – enhanced children and adults SSSC registration relevant to their role Skilled and experienced leadership Core training and service specific training opportunities In- house and external training Personal growth and ongoing development Support and Development SVQ qualifications (working towards) I have confidence in the organisation providing my care and support As a service we encourage people we support to participate in internal quality and improvement reviews. This enables us to ensure all decisions and actions are supported by the people utilising our services. Examples of this include… User lead groups Service newsletters and social media Recruitment of new support practitioners to teams Social events Family and relative meetings Active citizenship and community pathways I experience a high quality environment if the organisation provides the premises Our Connects Hub offers those using our Support Service: A safe and welcoming environment Welcoming to people using the service, families, and other visitors Promotes independence and encourages participation Flexible spaces – common areas and quiet areas Good high-quality furnishings and fittings A range of activities for fun and learning Health care equipment to meet the needs of people we support Meets all regulations for Health and Safety, Infection, and prevention control Local champions for Health and Safety, Infection and prevention control, Positive Behavioural Support, domestic colleagues Manage Cookie Preferences