
THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW
Highlighting best practice
34 | KALM LIVING
at the interval a collection was made
for Children in Need.
Each year, the Hubba Choir also take
part in Appledore Christmas Fayre,
where they entertain the public with
songs from a chosen film as well
as traditional Christmas carols. The
performances are always enjoyed by
service users, relatives, staff and the
public and taking part in these public
performances helps to build service
users’ confidence and self belief.
Overcoming industry
challenges
There are numerous challenges facing
the industry as a whole, including
financial issues surrounding the
increase in the minimum wage,
enhanced pension contributions and
the ongoing confusion over sleep-
in rates. The implementation of the
recent supported living reviews and
unrealistic timescales have placed a
large burden on both support and
office staff over the last 12 months,
and lack of communication between
governing bodies has resulted in
numerous grey areas. Staff changes
within social service provision have
resulted in lack of consistency for
service users with some having had as
many as three social workers within
the space of 12 months, which is
clearly far from ideal.
Our goals for the future include
the provision of independent living
flats which would bridge the gap
between supported living and living
totally independently. There is a need
to provide this as an in-between
stage where service users are more
independent but have the assurance
of support if required. Enhanced
independence can be achieved
together with further integration
into the community. The model we
envisage would be based on that of
current Sheltered Accommodation
Services but would not be age
restricted. Our recent registration with
the CQC will provide us with a wider
spectrum for our support services
in the future. We will continue to
support local charities through our
local shop and café, as we have in
thepast.
The
performances
are always
enjoyed by
service users,
relatives, staff
and the public
and taking
part in these
public
performances
helps to build
service users’
confidence
and self belief
“
“
»CASE STUDY
Jack was born with multiple health issues including
Down syndrome and his parents were advised that the
duration and quality of his life would be severely limited.
In addition, at the age of 12 Jack was diagnosed with
leukaemia and fought for his life for 18 months.
While living at home, Jack began attending Barnstaple
Ability Football where he met several existing KSL
service users and strong friendships were formed to
the point where Jack decided that he would like to
join his friends in supported living.
This was a difficult decision for Jack’s parents to come
to terms with, but they realised that this was Jack’s
dream and he should be encouraged to follow it.
Since joining KSL in 2013 Jack has grown in ability,
confidence and self-belief and for the last two years has
attended the Special Olympics, gaining medals on both
occasions. Jack also volunteers at a local day centre.
Jack with his Olympic
medals