WCH161. Introductory Visits and Trial Periods of Residence in Care Homes
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Introductory Visits and Trial Periods of Residence in Care Homes (Wales) Policy
Policy Statement
This policy sets out the values, principles and procedures underpinning {{org_field_name}}’s approach to arranging introductory visits and trial periods of residence for prospective users of the service. It should be read and implemented with the policies on Needs Assessment and Care and Support Plans.
The policy meets the requirements of the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 and accompanying statutory guidance. Key regulations are Regulation 14: Suitability of Service and Regulation 19: Information About the Service.
The policy is also in line with the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and recommendations of A Place to Call Home? A Review Into the Quality of Life and Care of Older People Living in Care Homes in Wales (2014), Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.
The current service standards require a care home to make sure it has the capacities and resources to meet the personal needs of all residents. They expect the responsible individual to show how {{org_field_name}} can assess and meet the assessed needs of its residents, including any with specialist needs (see also Regulation 18: Provider Assessment).
Where a care home must meet any specialist needs (eg for people with dementia or other cognitive impairments, sensory impairment, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, intermediate or respite care), it must show that it is following current good practice and relevant specialist and clinical guidance.
The home must show that it can meet the needs and preferences of specific minority ethnic communities, social/cultural or religious groups and Welsh language speakers.
Its staff, individually and collectively, must have the skills and experience to deliver the services and care which the home offers.
Values and Principles
The principle followed is that prospective residents and their relatives and friends should have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home, and, if in doubt to move in on a trial basis, before they and/or their representatives decide if they want to stay and make a long-term commitment. This arrangement also makes sure that unplanned admissions are avoided wherever possible.
{{org_field_name}} could also, or as an alternative, meet prospective residents in their own homes or current situation, eg hospital, where they can explain what the home has to offer.
If exceptionally a person is admitted in an emergency, the home will inform the new resident within 48 hours about key aspects, rules and routines of the home, and meet all other admission criteria within another five working days, including the completion of the provider assessment as required by Regulation 18.
{{org_field_name}} understands that people often find the process around moving into a home to be stressful, confusing and upsetting and it is up to the staff at the home to play a supportive, sensitive and understanding role in that move.
The home furthermore believes that it is essential that the prospective resident is confident that their needs will be fully met by the home if they move into it. The home itself has to be fully confident that it will indeed be able to meet those needs.
The home believes that, as well as doing a full assessment of needs on a potential resident, the best way of ensuring that the home is “right” for a particular resident is to offer a trial period of residency.
Introductory Visiting
{{org_field_name}} firmly believes that it should only accept a new resident if a needs assessment shows that the home can adequately meet the needs of the prospective resident.
All potential new residents should be treated in the following way.
The home will always offer prospective users of the service and their representatives:
- a date and a time to visit the home with a named member of staff
- assurance that they will be met in a warm and friendly fashion and communicated with in their preferred language
- a tour of the home and an invitation to stay for a meal and take part in any activities if they wish
- a private, quiet area to discuss their personal details and specific needs
- assurance that their questions will be answered fully, frankly and patiently
- the home’s leaflets and promotional literature explaining the process of application for a place at the home and admission arrangements.
{{org_field_name}} will discuss any special needs and will explain or demonstrate exactly how those needs will be met from day to day in practice.
{{org_field_name}} recognises that some people considering moving into the home from, say, a spell in hospital, might not be able to visit or stay in the home before they move in. In their cases, the home will try to provide as much information as practicably possible and in formats suitable to the person concerned.
The home encourages visits by relatives and lawful representatives such as those with power of attorney for a person’s health and welfare so that they can help the prospective resident with their decisions.
There is a designated person responsible for organising and co-ordinating preparatory visits [provide details if applicable].
Trial Periods of Residence
The home only accepts a new resident if a needs assessment shows that it can adequately meet the applicant’s needs and, wherever practical, following a trial period of residency.
In {{org_field_name}} the following applies.
- All potential new residents who are interested in staying at the home should be offered a trial period of residency of between four to six weeks or for a specified period agreed with the applicant or their representatives.
- {{org_field_name}} recognises that some prospective residents, when moving into the home from, say, a spell in hospital, might not be able to visit or stay in the home before they move in. In their cases, the home will try to provide as much information as practicably possible and in formats suitable to the resident.
- If a person cannot have a full trial period of residence, every effort is made to enable the person to at least visit for a day or half day to be shown around the home and to meet staff and other residents.
- On the day of moving in to {{org_field_name}}, if there is no relative or social service’s staff to help move the person in, the home will supply a member of staff to go to the person’s home or place of abode and collect them.
- On arrival at the home, the person should be welcomed warmly and shown to their own private room to unpack. They should be served refreshments there and the admitting member of staff should stay with them during this period.
- The admitting member of staff should fill in an initial admission form with the person joining the service and explain to them the exact nature of the trial period system and a little about the home and its routines (eg what arrangements are in place for mealtimes, etc).
- It is likely that the person will be anxious and apprehensive and every effort should be made by the staff of the home to be reassuring and supportive. In particular, the admitting member of staff should make a point of finding out how the person would like to be addressed.
- The admitting member of staff should offer to show the person around the home but should not force them to do so if they do not wish to.
- If the person wishes to sit with the other residents at mealtimes then they should be encouraged to. If not then arrangements should be made for them to take their meals in their room.
- Great care should be taken by all staff during the first few days of any person’s residency that they introduce themselves to the new resident and help them to settle in.
During the trial period, the following applies.
- Any special needs should be addressed and the home should explain or demonstrate exactly how those needs will be met from day to day.
- A full assessment of the person’s needs should be completed in conjunction with social services and other key workers.
At the end of the trial period, the following will take place.
- A confidential case review will be arranged involving all key workers and including the resident and their relatives and/or representatives or advocates.
- The case review will assess the trial period and come to a decision as to whether or not the person should be offered a place at the home permanently or if the person wants a place at the home.
- The case review will make any recommendations necessary as to further support required or outstanding needs to be met.
- Any decision-taking for prospective residents who might lack the mental capacity to decide if they want to continue living in the home will follow full Mental Capacity Act 2005 procedures, including any deprivation of liberty issues that might arise.
Training
All staff receive training about the home’s policies on trial visits and admission. They also receive training about individual care planning and needs assessments in line with Social Care Wales training and qualifications frameworks.
Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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