Enabling a smooth transition into a new supported living service

Working as a team to develop a personalised service

When the right people work together, wonderful things can happen. This was the case with a service developed in South London.

Working in partnership with a family, a specialist housing association and the local council, Ambient developed a service that would enable a small group of young people with learning disabilities to live more independently in a home specifically designed to meet their needs.

Measuring success through the 5i values

Inspiration

The family of a young woman with learning difficulties wanted their daughter to be able to live as independently as possible, in a home where she would be comfortable and safe long-term, having previously been in an emergency placement.

Having been approached by the family for help, the Ambient team had to think creatively about how the right assets and resources could be used to achieve a positive outcome for everyone. 

Innovation

Working in partnership with a housing association specialising in accommodation for people with learning difficulties, the Ambient team developed a service model that gave this family and several other individuals the long-term security they wanted, plus the right environment they needed to flourish.

A suitable property was found and the interior was developed around each of the residents’ personal needs. Storage and lighting, for example, were carefully designed to be unobtrusive and specific colours were chosen to help residents feel calm, relaxed and at home.

Inclusivity

Ambient fully involved the residents and their families to write job descriptions, recruit staff and take part in the interview process. Residents were also involved in choosing the furnishings and colours to personalise their own rooms and communal areas.

Integrity

Many people with autism find change tremendously difficult.

All transitions at the new service were done gently and at a pace each resident could cope with. The families and residents were engaged and involved at every stage of the transition and move into their new home.  Relationships and trust were built slowly and surely between staff and residents ensuring the transition reduced anxieties and stress for everyone involved.

Impact

The residents are extremely happy in their new home but they are often also busy taking part in activities in the community, going on shopping trips and generally enjoying life to the full!

Outcomes

• The move into a home and service designed specifically to meet their individual needs has enabled the people supported to enjoy a newfound confidence in life.
• They spend a great deal of time out in the community, knowing that they have a safe and comfortable space to come home to at the end of the day.
• Ambient staff working with each person in a strengths-based way has increased the self-esteem, and wellbeing of residents meaning they have increased independence, choice and control.
• The transition process from alternate care settings into the new Supported Living service was phased and managed to ensure any anxieties and distress were greatly minimised for everyone involved.