Sue's story
6 December 2007
Working together for better outcomes
The experience of Sue Grimley (pictured right with our inspector
Roger Harrison), the manager of Blenheim Care Centre in Lincoln,
provides some good examples of how providers and inspectors can
work together to bring better outcomes to the people who
use services.
Providing care at Blenheim can be challenging with clients that
include some young men that have disabilities and alcohol and
substance misuse problems.
Yet, Sue has an open door policy where she actively encourages
residents to complain. She says: "Although complaints may make the
centre look like it has problems, I do this because we are here to
improve their lives – it builds their confidence and makes them
aware of their rights."
Inspection
Sue has been involved in social care for many years and has seen
how it has changed. “As I have evolved and developed as a manager,
I believe the inspection process also has and over the last two
years, our philosophies have become parallel,” she says.
"I have been fortunate that I have always got on well with my
allocated inspector, even though we have sometimes disagreed with
some of the finer points, I see our relationship as a
partnership."
Following an unannounced inspection in April 2006, some
shortcomings were found and a recommendation was made that care
plans for residents should be improved.
Sue believes that care plans can make the life of residents much
more enjoyable, but they must be completed properly.
She says: “We complete a basic care plan with them and update it
with pertinent information as they become more comfortable and
familiar with the staff and their surroundings. I see care plans
more as building blocks in their life and recommend their use as
they can only make residents happier.”
Developing residents
Sue constantly explores what is available within the community
and looks to find different resources for the residents. For
example, she has worked with The Pelican Trust, who run courses and
provide work experience for people with mental illness, physical
disabilities and learning disabilities, which could result in them
getting NVQ qualifications.
She has also involved an organisation called Pets for Therapy. A
visit to the care centre from a volunteer with some dogs, allowing
them to mingle with the residents, generated a great deal of
interest. Further visits are planned.
Due to an increase in alcohol and substance misuse related
problems in the local area, Sue has been involved with a new
initiative to assess the need for ongoing provision of care. She
has been asked, with other professionals, to represent the private
sector in future meetings.
Find out more
You can find out how one of our inspectors, Roger Harrison, has
been working with Sue at the Blenheim Care Centre to create better
outcomes for the people living there.
Would you like to send us your story?
We plan to use your stories throughout our work to show how good
social care can transform people’s lives.