Admissions

Referral & Assessment

Service users will have their needs assessed before entering a home; this provides each service user with the best possible information on which to make an informed choice about their future.

For prospective service users who are already in touch with a social service or social work department, the initial assessment will be undertaken as part of the care management process for referrals, we also need to assure ourselves, and the service user that the home and or our service is suitable for them.  For prospective service users who approach Caritas directly, appropriately trained staff will make a full assessment of need, and with permission, seek professional advice and obtain reports as necessary.

An Initial assessment is made at the intended service users’ present location and is accomplished with a pre-arranged understanding that access will be given to the present carers’ case file and care records.  After initial assessment and gaining approval from all participant parties, the safe transfer to the nursing home is made for a thirteen-week assessment period.  The assessment process helps our staff to be sure that we can meet potential service users’ requirements, and to make an initial plan, detailing the care we will provide.

Each prospective service user will be given as much information as possible about the home, and services to help them make their decision.  We offer the opportunity for a prospective service user to visit the home, join current service users for a meal, meet the staff, and move in on a trial basis, depending on what is most relevant.

We are happy for prospective service users to involve family, friends or other representatives in seeing our homes, and reviewing the care, and facilities we can provide before making the final decision about admission.

Transitions

It is important for everyone’s welfare to make the right choice when it comes to long term support and a new home.  We work with individuals, their families and carers to identify their specific needs, interests and help potential service users to make their own choices.

We recognise that whilst a new move may be a positive choice and exciting, it may also create concerns and apprehension.  In order to help a new service user transition smoothly to their new home, we work closely with family members and carers to provide an individual plan to assist with the move.  The aim is to understand and have a clear picture of all needs and requirements ahead of the move, provide support at every stage, enabling a successful transition to their new home.

Admissions

To facilitate the choices for prospective service users and to ensure they know precisely what services we offer, we will:

• Ensure that every prospective service user has his or her needs professionally assessed before a decision of admission is taken
  
  
• Demonstrate to every service user prior to admission that we can meet their needs
  
  
• Offer introductory visits, except in cases of emergency
  
  
• Provide detailed information about the home. Each service user will receive a statement of purpose, and a service user guide
  
  
• Each service user will also receive a contract and a statement of terms and conditions specifying the details of the service and our relationship with them