Archived: Folkestone Independent Living Scheme

People and relatives were pleased with the quality of the care that the service provided. They felt it was personalised to individual needs and was flexible enough to meet changing circumstances. One person who used the service said, 'we all have LD (learning disability) problems here and we all get well looked after'. Another person said, 'they don't do everything for me, but say to me 'you can do this for yourself can't you?' '. A relative said, 'they have always been very good with (name) and of course we get to know his key worker'. Another relative said, '(staff) try very hard to open doors for (name) but he is very stubborn ' (name) has done very well (with the service) within his own limitations and has achieved much more than we expected'.

There was evidence of close co-operation between the service and other providers. People said that their health needs were catered for and we saw that people were referred to the other providers as their needs required.

People were protected from abuse by the correct systems and knowledgeable staff. Staff were trained and supported to provide a good standard of care.

There was a complaints system which people felt confident to access. Records were available when necessary and kept securely.

Comments included, 'they are really good to me. Like my new family' and 'without my key worker I would be in a right state'.

People said that staff helped them to manage problems with other agencies, such as housing associations or to access general health services.

People we spoke with had no complaints about the scheme. However they said that if they did have concerns they felt that they would be listened to by their key worker or anyone else from the scheme.