Overview of Organisation
Walsingham was formed in 1986 to provide small, locally-based, Christian-run homes for people with learning disabilities. We are a Company Limited by Guarantee (2016251) and a registered Charity (294832.)
Organisational ETHOS
Since 1999, we have been providing individually tailored support to people in their own tenancies.
Our mission statement is as follows:
“Walsingham aims to be at the forefront in providing high quality residential care and associated services for people who have learning disabilities. We consider them to be of equal value to other members of society and design our services to meet their individual needs.
We provide care and support for people with a learning disability, some of whom also
- have a physical disability
- have a sensory impairment
- have a prime diagnosis of mental illness
- have multiple and profound disabilities
- challenge.
We provide services to people whose physical condition is deteriorating, is improving, or is variable, and whose intellectual and cognitive functions may be deteriorating, improving, variable or unpredictable. At present, we work only with people who are over 18 years of age.
We are committed to treating all service users and employees openly, equally and with dignity and respect. There will be no discrimination in access to services, recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, training or dismissal on the grounds of an individual’s nationality, sex, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.
We successfully achieved the Investors In People standard in September 2000 and this was renewed in 2003.
Geographical Area
We currently support service users in 45 services based in 25 locations. The organisation as a whole supports people across England and Wales with the Swansea office currently supporting 34 service users in 9 separate locations.
Staff Qualifications
All staff are recruited in line with current best practice. Induction and Foundation training is provided in line with Learning Disability Award Foundation (LDAF) standards and staff are trained to the appropriate National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) standards. All staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisal.
Circumstances where Service is no longer provided
There are some occasions when Walsingham are no longer able to continue to provide a service to someone. These situations will be clearly explained to individuals should this situation occur. Walsingham staff will not continue to provide a service to someone:
- Who does not allow staff to comply with agreed risk assessments
- Who does not pay agreed charges
- Who has not been assessed as requiring that level of support through the Care Management assessment process
Arrangements for cancellation of service
Any cancellation of a service will be fully discussed with the Service User prior to the service being cancelled. This will also be fully discussed with the relevant Care Manager if necessary.
Charges
Charges are made in accordance with the Local Authorities charging policy. All information in relation to this is made available to Service Users or their representative as necessary.
Absence of a worker
If a specific worker is unable to attend a Service Users home as agreed then Walsingham will endeavour to provide an alternative member of staff who is known to the Service User. If this is not possible then an agency member of staff may be used if this is in agreement with the Service User.
Timesheets
Timesheets are co-ordinated on a monthly basis by the relevant line manager. These are completed and authorised and are forwarded to Head Office for payment on a monthly basis.
Complaints procedure
Walsingham have an agreed complaints procedure which is available to all Service Users, families and friends.
Procedures to safeguard Service Users and Workers
Walsingham has a clear whistleblowing policy which is available for all staff. This also links with the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) policy. All staff undergo POVA training at the relevant level.
We are also externally monitored as part of contractual processes by the Local Authority.
Administration of medication
Walsingham has a general administration of medication policy which may have additional safeguards in place depending on the requirements of the service users. New staff are taken through the administration of medication with service users prior to them being required to administer this on their own.
Health and Safety
Walsingham has a Health and Safety policy which all staff are required to follow. Specific individual risk assessments may be put in place if service users needs require these. All risk assessments are agreed with service users and their representatives where necessary.
Regulation 27
The relevant person will inform the National Assembly in writing of any absence from the service of the Registered Provider or Registered Manager within the specified timescale. They will also inform the National Assembly of the name, address and qualifications of the person who will be covering the absence, the proposed length of time of that absence and the reason for the absence in accordance with Regulation 27.
Service Users views
Walsingham have a Quality Group which is seeking to involve service users in measuring the quality of Walsingham services. This group visits services to talk to service users and gain their views. Senior managers, Directors and Trustees also visit service users and seek the views of service users while they are there. Service users are also invited to the AGM where their views are sought. By working with standards and underpinning principles, we aim to ensure that what we do is overt, measurable and person centred. Senior managers of the organisation regularly visit service users in their homes, to ensure that they are satisfied with the service they receive and that standards are being maintained.
Management structure
Walsingham has a formal management structure which consists of a Chief Executive, Directors, Regional Managers, Service Managers and Managers. A diagram of the current structure is available on the Walsingham Website.
Use of agency staff
Occasionally Walsingham contracts with another agency to provide additional staffing. Walsingham meets regularly with these other agencies to ensure that they comply with the CSIW standards.
Name and Address of Registered Provider
Debbie Edwards
9, Dol Helyg
Pembrey
Burry Port
Carmarthenshire
SA16 0EH
Name and Address of Registered Manager
Donna Kerslake
18 Courtney Street,
Manselton
Swansea
SA5 9NY