Privacy Policy

Now the Boring Bits!

Personal Effects

VHG are our client’s homes, and they are encouraged to bring their own items of furniture, television, video, stereo, room decorations (provided the items pass a risk assessment and the electrical items, a certified inspection by our electrical engineer). All valuables must be declared, and safekeeping can be arranged if required (for insurance purposes).

Personal Safety

The home is not a secure hospital unit, and VHG cannot be held responsible for clients who leave the home without planning and obtaining the agreement of a member of staff. Clients are expected to plan their journeys with staff on duty and receive appropriate one to one support. Referring officers are required to provide details of clients’ next of kin including contacts in the case of any emergency. VHG operates a locked door policy depending on when clients deemed to require additional safety precautions are placed (e g. residents managed on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards DoLS). Such clients are escorted by staff and other residents can leave the home as they require.

Social activities

These are arranged for the enjoyment and quality of life of those in our care with the intention of reflecting their interests, wishes and capabilities. On various occasions, we meet to discuss with those in our care, staff, friends, relatives etc. any social activities they would like to have arranged (e.g. CPA reviews). We keep a record of these meetings to confirm who was there, what was agreed etc. This, of course, does not prohibit suggestions at any time which we thoroughly welcome

The person to contact is a nominated named person known as our activities organiser. This person knows how to decide upon, organise and implement “activities”. The activities, interests etc of the Service User are recorded on their care plan.

Discharge Procedure

Most discharges will take place upon completion of their rehabilitation programme and will be through the graduation process determined by MDT. In some cases, premature discharge will be required, specifically to cases related to breach of rules or expectations.

In all cases of minor breach of rules and expectations, each case will be decided on an individual basis and appropriate steps taken to inform the Care Manager / Service Purchaser. Usually, discussion with the client is sufficient.

If this fails, a written probation plan will be submitted to the client offering the client seven days to correct the breach, according to the probation contract. If the client should still maintain the breach of rules, arrangements will be made involving all three members of the original Letter of Agreement to resettle or discharge the client.

In the cases of major breaches, the case will be reviewed on an individual basis but in cases of physical violence, we may be required to inform the Service Purchaser of discharge immediately, or within 24 hours. The safety of all clients is our main concern.

Hobbies & Interest

Anyone in our care will have had, at some time at least, hobbies and interests. We consider it a responsibility of ours to help them maintain/redevelop those interests wherever possible and, if circumstances arise, to explore new hobbies and interests. Just because someone is “in care” does not mean they have lost the interest or necessarily the ability to partake in hobbies and interests. In fact, it may be highly beneficial for them to pursue such things as would be suitable.

Gardening
Flower arranging
Embroidery
Computing
Playing / listening to music/ TV
Reading
Writing
Part-time work
Drama
Drawing / painting
DIY
Sport
Games
Seaside outings, sightseeing, meals out in restaurants

Advocacy

Those in our care are encouraged to manage their own affairs, make their own decisions and we must be careful not to “disenfranchise” them from doing so. On this basis they are self-advocating.

However, a person may be or become unable to exercise their rights to their best interests and a person or persons may be appointed to speak for them in their best interests. Such a person acting on behalf of another in this way is known as their “advocate” and may be a relative, friend, professional person etc.

Our policy is never to act as advocate for a person in our care because of the potential for conflict of interest. Details of a person’s advocacy arrangements are kept in the appropriate confidential file for that person accessible by senior staff authorised by the Registered Manager and only then under appropriate documented circumstances.

Breaching confidential advocacy arrangements represents gross misconduct for which a member of staff may be dismissed.