Statement of Purpose

TIGH A’CHOMAINN CAMPHILL LTD.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Aim

Tigh a’Chomainn is a Camphill Community providing a home for adults with special needs. Our aim is to support and assist them in exploring their personal potential and their limitations so that they may find purpose, direction and a sense of fulfilment in their lives.

Philosophy and Values

The values and objectives of Tigh a’Chomainn are based on the educational, philosophical and social principles of Rudolf Steiner, that is:

i) Co-workers and residents share a common home and work together closely as an extended family in all aspects of daily life, within the framework of a community which is informed by the Christian values of mutual care, respect and love.

ii) An appreciation of the uniqueness of each individual and of their particular spiritual and personal qualities.

iii) A recognition of the fundamental importance of human relationships as the basis for social and emotional growth.

Key Objectives

Residents are actively encouraged and assisted to:

- exercise their personal rights and responsibilities, while at the same time taking account of the feelings and wishes of others.

- participate in all decisions affecting their personal well-being and choice of activities.

- achieve confidence in the social routines of daily living, particularly in the use of local facilities and services, such as shops, hairdresser, library, doctor and dentist.

- take full advantage of continuing education facilities.

- maintain close links with family, friends and relevant professionals; and to develop both oral and written communication skills.

- develop an understanding of their individual life-situations and acquire an appreciation of self-worth.

- manage personal finances as far as possible.

- ‘stretch their wings’ by learning to set new goals and meet fresh challenges, while having regard always to the safety of themselves and others.

Approach to Care Practices
- All aspects of care at Tigh a’Chomainn are determined in the light of the individual resident’s changing level of personal independence. The structure of the community is such that it is normally not possible to provide specialist, intensive care for persons with profound disabilities.

- All residents have a designated key worker, with whom they will develop an especially close and trusting personal relationship.

- Any agreed care plan would be reviewed initially after three months and then at six monthly intervals, or at need. Minutes of Reviews are kept.

- Confidential records are kept on each individual, relating to day-to-day and long term care plans. Residents have access to relevant information (see Policy for details).

- Any financial transactions done on behalf of or for a resident are suitably recorded and can be checked by the Care Commission.

- There is a six-weekly update on the positions of residents at the Management Council Meeting, where advice and support are available.

- Tigh a’Chomainn is committed to ensuring safe practice with regard to medicines and other pharmaceutical products (see Policy for details).

- Any instances of challenging behaviour will be reviewed to decide what sanctions/therapeutic interventions would be appropriate (see Policy for details).

- A formal advocacy service is available from other agencies if deemed appropriate.

- We try to nurture individual respect/responsibility and help people to become aware of commonly accepted social boundaries, i.e. the common courtesies of people living together.

- Openness and trust are key commitments and expected from all members of the household, however people are also encouraged to respect each individual’s personal space.

- We have 7 single rooms and all other facilities are share by everyone who is living in the house (co-workers and residents).

- We believe in making our home as comfortable and attractive as possible as this enhances everyone’s well-being and sense of worth. Each person is expected to help with necessary chores.

- It is important that everyone has time away from regular routines and experiences different situations. Therefore, each resident has at least 4 weeks holiday a year away from Tigh a’Chomainn.

- Varied daytime activities require everyone to take responsibility for making their own individual arrangements with regard to getting up, breakfast, lunch, etc. – with the appropriate support.

- For health and safety reasons each person (both co-worker and resident) is expected to inform someone responsible when they are leaving the premises and when they are planning to return.

- Our evening meal is an important social occasion for informal exchange.

- The weekly house evening is the formal setting in which everyone’s daily programme and special events are discussed. People are encouraged to think creatively about their leisure and social arrangements. The menus for the week are planned at this time.

- Everyone can help themselves to evening drinks/snacks, and preferences are catered for.


Admissions to Tigh a’Chomainn

People considering a placement at Tigh a’Chomainn are invited to an evening meal where they can meet everyone who lives in the community, see the facilities and have an informal chat with co-workers and residents about life in Tigh a’Chomainn. This visit can include carer, family member or anyone else the potential resident feels comfortable with and would like to be included in the admissions process. Copies of the brochure, Contract and Statement of purpose are available.  

A formal meeting will then be arranged with the applicant (with appropriate support), a senior co-worker from Tigh a’Chomainn and a representative from the Social Work Department who would be sponsoring the placement. During this meeting the applicant’s support and care needs will be discussed.  

If it is thought by all involved that Tigh a’Chomainn is likely to be an appropriate placement we suggest a two-week trial visit. This allows the applicant, residents and co-workers an opportunity to get to know one another and provides a firm basis for a final decision.

After the trial visit another meeting is convened between Tigh a’Chomainn and the applicant, and if both parties are in agreement, a place will be offered - subject to funding arrangements. A provisional personal plan will then be devised.

After the first three months of the placement a review is held at which all parties concerned are present and the continuation of the placement is confirmed.

All applications must be sponsored by the relevant Social Work Department and regular reviews are held at which Social Work representation is considered essential - these reviews will be held every six months or annually, depending on the individual situation. Planning for the future is a vital element of all reviews.

Moving On

During their time at Tigh a’Chomainn residents are encouraged to develop an awareness of future living options. As this becomes more clear we explore and plan together the eventual move away from Tigh a’Chomainn. Close communication and co-operation is therefore needed between all concerned, i.e. resident, family, social work representatives, Tigh a’Chomainn and future placement agencies.

It should be emphasised that residents themselves must wish to join us and must feel free to leave. There may be occasional instances when it is in the interest of all concerned for a certain resident to leave, possibly at short notice, but such a course would be decided only following a review.


Complaints Procedure

We have a clear procedure for expressing concerns. This is detailed in an accompanying document.


Links with Other Agencies

Tigh a’Chomainn is registered with the Care Commission and undergoes regular inspection.

We are a member of the Association of Camphill Communities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Scottish Association of Curative Education and Social Therapy.

Co-workers from Tigh a’Chomainn participate in the local Forum of Voluntary Organisations, the Association of Residential Communities and other similar bodies.


Co-worker Training

All workers at Tigh a’Chomainn are selected through a process which includes:

- criminal record checks
- taking up references
- cross references to professional organisations, where appropriate.

All workers are familiar with Camphill and Tigh a’Chomainn policies and procedures and new co-workers are given guidance on putting these into practice.

Tigh a’Chomainn is committed to providing a quality service. Co-workers regularly participate in conferences and seminars, both in Britain and abroad, on topics relevant to the care and treatment of people with disability or learning difficulties, and to update knowledge and improve practice.