S31. Community Links and Social Inclusion of People in Supported Living
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Community Links and Social Inclusion of People Policy
Policy Statement
This policy sets out the values, principles and policies underpinning {{org_field_name}}’s approach to the social and community life of the people who use their services and their need to develop and maintain community links.
It is written in line with {{org_field_name}}’s registration requirements as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, particularly Regulation 9: Person-centred Care and Regulation 10: Dignity and Respect. It is also written in line with the Care Quality Commission’s Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture in respect of people receiving care who have learning disabilities or autism.
People receiving care should expect their quality of life to be enhanced by having the support of {{org_field_name}} together with the provision of a safe, manageable and comfortable living environment. {{org_field_name}} provides the stimulation and encouragement to people receiving the service to pursue their lives to the maximum chosen physical, intellectual, emotional and social capacity and it supports their friendships and family relationships within the community.
Policy on Community Links and Social Inclusion
{{org_field_name}} recognises that the people using the service should be able to maintain contacts with their families, friends, representatives and local community groups and volunteers as they wish, with, as a rule, no restrictions placed on following their interests.
Having community and social contacts is a crucial part of living a fulfilled and healthy life. {{org_field_name}} will do its best to provide ample opportunities for people using its service to mix, and seek friendship and pleasure in social contacts and in the company of their friends and relatives.
{{org_field_name}}’s policy is as follows.
- Staff will support people who use the service to become part of, and participate in, the local community in line with their assessed needs and their individual care and support plans.
- Every new person coming into the service will be given accessible information about all local community resources open to them. The information will include knowledge about services, facilities and activities in the local community including shops, clubs, libraries, cinemas, pubs, leisure centres, places of worship, cultural centres and day centres.
- {{org_field_name}} will maintain a neighbourly and friendly relationship with the community around it.
- People who use services will be enabled to be politically active, including in advocacy and self-advocacy programmes and to exercise their civic rights such as voting.
- Time for staff to be with and provide support for people using the service in social and community activities will be provided on a flexible basis as a recognised part of staff duties, including evenings and weekends.
- {{org_field_name}} values and seeks to reflect the racial and cultural diversity of the people using the service and of the community in which it is located.
The Role of {{org_field_name}} in the Community
{{org_field_name}} management team will make a positive effort to foster good working relationships with the local community as a whole. {{org_field_name}} believes that taking an active and high-profile role in the local community is the best way to promote the interests of the people using the service and to achieve full integration into their local community.
To this end {{org_field_name}} will:
- continue to work with its community contacts to strengthen the position of {{org_field_name}} in the local community
- support the people using the service to celebrate all local community events, festivals and other culturally appropriate celebrations in line with their cultural interests and identities
- encourage people using the service to be involved in local community groups in line with their interests
- continually review its policy according to the wishes and needs of the people using the service and their experiences of community involvement.
Training
All staff are trained in person-centred care planning principles and methods, which includes how they can help people using the service to be involved in their local community and to take part in community activities. Staff who support people’s participation in community activities are trained in aspects of safety including risk assessment and management.
All staff are trained to:
- be aware of people’s rights of access to public facilities and services under disability anti-discrimination and equality legislation and to be treated without stigma and discrimination
- have knowledge about and support people using the service to make use of community facilities and activities (eg shops, library, cinema, pubs, leisure centres, places of worship, cultural centres).
Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next review date: this policy is reviewed annually (every 12 months). When needed, this policy is also updated in response to changes in legislation, regulation, best practices, or organisational changes.
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