Statement of Purpose - Paradise House

Statement of Purpose
Paradise House • Painswick • Gloucestershire• GL6 6TN
Telephone: 01452 813276 • Fax: 01452 813372
Email: info@paradise-house.org.uk
www.paradise-house.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1103955 • Company No: 5114710
© Novalis Trust 2009

w Circulation
This document is addressed the board of Directors of Novalis Trust, care non-teaching staff, and will be supplied to the Placing Authorities and the Commission
for Social Care Inspection. Copies are available to parents and residents on request.
w Aims and Objectives of the Care Home
Paradise House aims to provide long-term residential care, education and occupational experiences and opportunities for adults with learning
disabilities within a home setting based on the care and educational values and teachings of Rudolf Steiner. The home is owned by Novalis Trust and is
registered with the Care Quality Commission. Residents are encouraged to live fulfilling lives to achieve their potential whilst the high standard of
accommodation allows residents to enjoy a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere.
w Admissions
Paradise House is registered to care and cater for 30 adults (male and female, aged 18-65) with a range of learning disabilities including Autism, Aspergers
Syndrome, Turners Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Diogenes’ Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy and Brain Damage and mental health difficulties. Paradise
House provides for residential care needs only and does not offer nursing care. It provides long term care and does not accept emergency admissions.
Prospective residents are invited to visit, normally with their respective Care Manager or family member or friend. A residential assessment period is offered
normally lasting 1 week, although the assessment period can be arranged to meet particular needs. In some cases, new residents can begin their placements
at the end of their assessment period.
w Quality of Life
The Paradise House community provides a homely and caring lifestyle. A strong sense of community living is encouraged with everyone contributing to the
security, stability and a feeling of self-worth for the resident group as a whole. For all activities the Community encourages an integrated approach, to
promote the self esteem, confidence, social competence and maximum independence for its residents (within their own abilities and potential for
development). The Community offers opportunities for adult education, social skillstraining, work experience and a range of art and craft activities, working
in the gardens and assisting with daily household tasks.
w Accommodation, Facilities and Services Provided
The community is situated in a residential area located roughly 1.5 miles from the Painswick village in Gloucestershire. The accommodation for Residents is
provided within 4 houses (alongside cultivated gardens and various craft workshops) based in Paradise House’s extensive grounds. The properties are set on a
steeply sloping site, therefore the steepness means that Paradise House may impose limitations for some people with impaired or restricted mobility requiring
dependence on wheelchairs.
Each resident has their own bedroom with high quality furnishings and fittings within a small housegroup, each with a maximum of nine residents.
Residential accommodation is provided on site for care staff sleeping-in rooms in each house for night time supervision and support. Each house has its own
lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry, office and storage facilities. Bathroom and toilet provision exceeds National Minimum Standards. Within the extensive
grounds there are weaving workshops, an art room, vegetable and fruit gardens, large lawn areas, and a tennis court.
w Activities and Festivals
Social activities are generally organised on a community basis including, regular weekly events such as singing, storytelling, games evenings and shopping
trips. Individual requests can be organised where appropriate, other activities include weekly horse riding, visits to the local leisure centre for swimming and
visiting the gym, visits to the Library, educational trips, local pubs and cinema and local community events.
Residents have the option to attend group sessions which focus on general learning and developmental skills - these often include: personal safety, health
and well-being, community links, citizenship, life-skills, educational and occupational opportunities. These sessions are needs-led and the residents are
encouraged to lead some group sessions and put foward their ideas on topics they would like to focus on. Rules are in operation (i.e. confidentiality and
respect for those attending the established group).
Media entertainment is kept to a minimum in accordance with the ethos and philosophy of Paradise Community, which promotes an active and sociable
lifestyle. Residents have the choice to provide and install TVs with DVD players in their bedrooms, but given that the Community is situated in a valley, it
is not able to receive standard broadcast televisions signals. However in the near future there will be facilities installed for cinema club events that can be
organised during evenings and weekends so that appropriate films, documentaries and pre-recorded cultural events may be viewed. All viewing material
will be checked in advance for appropriateness of content by either the Registered Manager or the Responsible person; a DVD viewing and lending library is
already available for use by residents with personal DVD players being provided.
Residents have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday each year. Holidays usually take place in coastal areas, such as Devon and Cornwall or areas of outstanding
natural beauty such as the Lake District and Scotland. These holidays are discussed and planned with the residents.

w Amenities
Painswick is a small Cotswold Village, with a library, post office, supermarket, restaurants, a public house and other shops. The village has a social centre,
which organises regular community events. Nearby, are the towns of Stroud and Cheltenham and the City of Gloucester which are served with regular bus links
from Painswick. Residents are encouraged to participate in the local community and access any amenities that cater for their personal interests.
w Religious Observances and Activities
Paradise House is based upon the care and educational principles established by Rudolf Steiner. Rudolf Steiner was a teacher, doctor and philosopher. Festivals
form a regular part of community life.
Meadowbank respects each individual resident’s religious beliefs and wishes with regard to religious observances. Individual residents attend a place of
worship according to their individual beliefs and wishes. Arrangements are made to meet the individual wishes of residents with regard to participating in faith
based activities.
w Therapeutic Techniques
Therapeutic provision will be made available at Ebley House (Novalis Trust’s HQ) which has been developed as a centre for therapeutic, psychological, medical
and councelling services. A fortnightly Multi-Disciplinary “Complex Needs” Panel Meeting will make referrals concerning particular residents. The services
and therapies on offer will consist of:
• Art Therapy
• Eurythmy
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Group Work
• Counselling
Residents are given the opportunity to participate in activities that take place in a therapeutic environment, which may have therapeutic benefits, these
include; music, art, drama, crafts and countryside walks. The opportunity to engage in Art Therapy sessions can be arranged through an established link with
Paradise House Community.
w Consultation Arrangements
Staff consult with the residents regularly about all matters affecting their daily life and activities. There is a daily community meeting for all residents and staff
to share information at the beginning of each day. This is complemented by weekly meetings in each house group where residents are encouraged to express
their views and opinions on all aspects of life at Paradise House. From time to time more formal consultation procedures may be used to seek opinions when
reviewing policies and procedures.
w Review of Service User Plans
Each resident and their nearest relative or personal representative are consulted about and involved in the preparation of initial care plans and annual care
plan reviews. A system of six monthly in-house reviews has been implemented. Residents who are able to read their care plans are given a copy and the
contents are explained to other residents, in accordance with their ability to understand. Any complex needs of the residents at Meadowbank are regularly
discussed and considered at the fortnightly multi-disciplinary meeting. This meeting is attended by a clinical psychologist, a psychotherapist and professional
social workers. Copies of updated Service User Plans are available upon request.
w Contact with Families and Friends
Residents are encouraged to have family, friends, personal and professional representatives visit them at Meadowbank at all reasonable times. Some residents
go to stay with family and friends during the course of the year. Residents and their family and friends are able to maintain contact by telephone and e-mail
facilities are available for residents to use, with guidance and assistance from IT staff, if required.
Care staff assist residents to send cards, letters and photos to family and friends. Staff support the residents to build and maintain family and friendship
networks, with people outside of the home and also within the home. A Newsletter which illustrates the work taking place throughout all aspects of the
organisation (Novalis Trust) is published and sent to families, friends and other organisations which work closely with Paradise House.
w Privacy and Dignity of Service Users
Paradise House aims to maximise the residents’ independence and control, and respect each individual’s privacy and dignity. This is achieved by staff who
recognise the importance of person-centred care, empowerment and equality. Staff are committed and motivated to engage with the residents and provide
a homely, supportive environment. Paradise House respects each individual resident and their right as a citizen to be treated with respect and dignity in all
aspects of their daily life and care. Those residents who are able to express their own views are encouraged to do so. For those residents whose abilities to
understand and communicate are limited, consultations may take place with their relatives, personal representatives or advocates.

Each person has their own set of keys for their bedroom and the front door. They also have lockable storage compartments for valuable items. The
staff are discouraged from entering a resident’s room without their permission, unless essential or there is a serious health and safety risk to the
individual or others.
Visitors to the home are required to arrange their visit in advance wherever possible and sign the visitor book. A private meeting room is provided for residents
to spend time alone with their visitors. Visitors meeting a particular resident must make sure the resident is in agreement.
w Staffing
Details of the numbers, qualifications and experience of staff are on pages 6 and 7 together with the organisational structure.
w Fire Precautions and Emergency Procedures
Paradise House has written procedures for the instruction of staff how to deal with emergencies including fires. These are incorporated in staff training and
the details are set out in the Health & Safety Handbook.
The charity’s own qualified Health and Safety Officer regularly checks and reviews the fire safety equipment. All procedures are explained to the residents on
admission to the home. Residents and employees are aware of precautionary measures to prevent fire and evacuation procedures in the event of fire. This is
achieved by regular fire drills and communication of Meadowbank’s Health and Safety Policy.
w The Registered Provider and Manager Details
• Paradise House is a an affiliate of Novalis Trust, a charitable organisation registered with the chaity comission.
• Charity no: 1103955
• Company no: 5114710
• Paradise House is registered with the Care Quality Commission.
• Paradise House, Painswick, Gloucestershire. GL6 6TN
The Trustees are John Phillips (Chairperson), Jane Tarr, Gill Payne and David Lewers.
The Responsible Person is Jake Lukas DipHe RSW who is a qualified social work practitioner with many years experience of working at a senior level in a
Steiner Community providing both care and education.
The Registered Manager is Alison Hurlock DipHe RSW who is a qualified social worker with experience of working in both a Steiner Community and working
in partnership with private and public bodies in the caring profession.
The Day Staff Manager is Charles Earley who has worked in a residential Steiner community for four years looking after children with emotional,
behavioural and learning difficulties. Charles has also had commercial managerial experience in the service industry and is undertaking the QTLS course
(Certificate for Qualified Teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector).
w Staff Qualifications and Experience
The following table illustrates the relevant qualifications and experiences of the Registered Provider, Registered Manager and the Staff working at Paradise:
Work Description No. Qualifications Experience (Years)
Responsible Person x1 Social Work Dip/e RSW 16
Manager/ Head of Adult Services x1
Diploma in Social Work. Currently undertaking NVQ 4
Registered Care Manager’s Award
Daytime Staff Manager x1 Qualified Teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector Certificate (Pending) 5
Education Manager x1
Care Manager Staff x1
Qualified Teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector Certificate (Pending)
BSC (Hons) Economic and Government
1 NVQ Assessor Qualified NVQ Level 3 qualification
Working towards Level 4
Care Man Residence x1 Working towards NVQ Level 3 qualification 7
Administrator x1 Working towards Administration NVQ Level 3 qualification 3
team leaders x8
team members x9
Education Workshop Staff x11
Maintenance & Garden Staff x12
Cooks & Cleaners x8
x5 Qualified in NVQ Level 3
x3 Working towards NVQ Level 3
x5 Qualified in NVQ Level 2
x4 Working towards NVQ Level2
Most workshop staff possess degrees in different subjects
Some Staff have completed First Level of QTLS
Electrician; Bricklayer; Carpenter; Gardener; Painter & Decorator
labourers
x4 Staff Qualified in Food & Hygiene
All Staff working towards NVQ in Cleaning/Cooking
14
16
20
60 years
55 years
90 (Collective)
90 (Collective)
40 (Collective)

w Admissions and Discharge Procedure
• Carry out assessments covering all aspects of daily living for prospective residents.
- Invite prospective resident, their Care Manager and other representative the resident wishes to be involved in the admissions process.
- Arrange for prospective resident to stay for a week however this is a flexible time scale dependant on Individual needs and preferences. This assessment
period enables Paradise to assess his/her suitability for placement.
- Introduce new resident to the home, all residents and staff.
• Make essential equipment and facilities, identified during the pre-admission assessment immediately available to the resident on admission.
• Request information from parents, carers and other involved when appropriate.
• Explain fire procedures and health and safety matters.
• Record items brought in by the resident in their daily recording book and arrange safe storage as necessary.
• Provide resident/parent/advocate with copy of Statement of Purpose and Service User Guide and communication of these documents will take into account
the service users communication needs.
• Make appropriate arrangements registration with local health professionals such as GP, dental, optical and chiropody.
Complete and maintain records:
• Name and address
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Next of kin address.
• GP's name/address/tel.
• Placing/funding agency
• Date of transfer/discharge/death
• Reason for transfer/discharge
• Residents under court of protection - Local Authority or Official Solicitor
• Residents subject to Mental Health Act 1983
Transfer and Discharge of residents
Four criteria exist for the termination of placements:
• Increase in Care Requirements that Paradise Community cannot meet - i.e. loss of mobility and/or severe health problems.
• Deterioration in behaviour resulting in physical violence or behaviour which poses a threat to employees, residents or visitors.
• Lack of funding.
• Mutual Agreement
On transfer/discharge a letter of transfer/discharge is completed and sent to the appropriate agencies, which gives the following information:
• Personal details and how to contact next-of-kin/advocate.
• Resident's past history, present condition, needs and treatments.
• The involvement of other professionals, hospital appointments etc.
• When medication last administered.
• Any known allergies.
• Any medication disposed of, or returned to, the resident to be recorded.
• Any valuables held for safekeeping to be returned and a receipt obtained.
w Complaints
In the course of working and living at Paradise House residents may encounter difficulties with other residents or staff: it is primarily the responsibility of staff to ensure that
if this happens that they take the responsibility to resolve situations.
Staff who are subject to or are involved in trying to resolve a complaint by residents should consider:
• Their actions in the light of the community being the residents’ home.
• The nature of the difficulties that the resident has and how this will affect their perception of what has occurred.
• The nature of the difficulties that the resident has and how this will affect their ability to understand a resolution of the problem.
• The nature of the difficulties that the resident has and how this will affect the amount of time it will take to come to a resolution.
• The relative abilities of the resident versus the member of staff to accept change, responsibility and to agree a compromise solution.
Resolving complaints should take the following procedure:
• Residents, who want to make a complaint against a member of staff or another resident, should in the first instance if they are able, be encouraged and
supported to resolve the issue with the member of staff or resident concerned.
• If the resident cannot or does not feel able to deal with the issue with the member of staff or resident concerned another care worker, resident or volunteer
should act as an advocate on their behalf.
• If the matter cannot be easily resolved the matter should be referred to the manager.
• All complaints are responded to within a maximum of 28 days, and should ideally be responded to within 24 hours.
• Parents/carers should be informed of the nature of the complaint if the resident wishes.
• Care managers of residents involved in a complaint will be informed in writing of the incident and written records will be kept in the Manager’s office) of
the details of the complaint and of the resolution.
• If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, the matter will be referred to the Board of Directors of Novalis Trust.
• For issues between staff see the Grievance Procedure in the staff handbook.
In any event residents should feel free to contact either:
• Their Care Manager • Address and telephone number in their service user plan.
• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) • Colston 33, 33 Colston Ave, Bristol, BS1 4UA • Telephone 03000 616161
• Stroud Community Learning Disabilities Team • Telephone: 01453 827161