Thornton Avenue, our supported living service for adults in Streatham South West London, is celebrating its reaccreditation as a Headway-approved provider.
The service provides care and support for individuals aged 18 to 65 who have epilepsy, learning difficulties, acquired brain injuries, behavioural issues, learning disabilities, autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
The individuals we support, their families, commissioners, and other stakeholders face a variety of options when deciding what service is right for their needs. The Headway Approved Provider scheme provides an accredited symbol of excellence to aid decision-making.
The reaccreditation process is driven from the individual/carer perspective and encompasses evidence-based practice, good governance, and outcome-focused.
Below are some of the highlights taken from the reaccreditation report:
Culture
Thornton Avenue has a well-defined philosophy (the Active Care Group behaviours) that is clear and understood by everyone involved, including staff, the individuals receiving support, their families, and visitors. The Active Care Group behaviours influence the team’s daily practices.
At Thornton Avenue, there is also a strong commitment to helping individuals develop and maintain their identities and make their own choices. The service proactively promotes equality and diversity, ensuring compliance with laws and guidelines like the Equality Act and associated policies.
Systems and Processes
The service demonstrated clear, concise clinical procedures that service managers, staff, the individuals we support, and their families know. These procedures ensure the safe planning and delivery of care to meet the needs of the individuals we support.
The staff at Thornton Avenue monitors the effectiveness of their care methods and the results for the individuals we support. They do this by regularly setting goals and using specific tools that suit each individual’s needs.
Workforce Development
The team at Thornton Avenue ensures that all new starters receive a timely induction programme, including introductory acquired brain injury training, at a level appropriate to individual staff needs (and learning styles).
Thornton Avenue is also dedicated to helping its staff grow and stay motivated. They provide training and support to check how well employees are learning, which allows them to achieve their goals and meet the needs of the individuals we support.
Service Delivery
Thornton Avenue understands the importance of, respects, and fully promotes collaborative partnership work between the individuals we support, their family members, and relevant professionals.
Each individual is enabled to participate in making decisions. The staff have a transparent process for evaluating each person’s communication needs and finding the right tools and aids to help them communicate effectively, such as pictorial prompts and total communication, such as gestures, giving time to answer, and verbal prompts.
Governance, Leadership & Management and Quality
Good governance is at the core of Thornton Avenue, with transparency and accountability evident at every level within the service. Effective quality assurance and monitoring systems are in place to measure success in achieving the service’s objectives.
The Service Manager, Mark Sutton, ensures the service meets its aims and objectives while creating an open, positive, and inclusive atmosphere.
Environment
The facilities at Thornton Avenue are designed to meet the needs of the individual. They are safe, easy to access, well-kept, and follow all necessary regulations. Regular maintenance checks ensure everything is kept to the highest standards.
Thornton Avenue has the appropriate equipment to help individuals with brain injuries. Our team is trained in using the equipment to assist and encourage each individual to be as independent as possible. All equipment is properly maintained and reviewed regularly to keep it in working order.
The reaccreditation reflects Thornton Avenue’s commitment to improving people’s lives. Service Manager Mark Sutton was effusive in his praise of his team:
“We are very proud to a Headway accredited service. This enables us to work with Headway to support the individuals we support with an ABI (Acquired Brain Injury).
The staff at Thornton Avenue have worked hard to ensure the success of this accreditation. As the manager, I am proud of our colleagues and this achievement.”
To learn more about Thornton Avenue, click here
