A Positive Outcome

Our Positive Behavioural Support approach receives recognition from the Learning Disability Community Treatment Team.

Sunderland Care and Support recognise that all behaviour serves as a way of communicating a person’s needs or wishes. PBS provides a framework to underpin a care pathway which is conducive to promoting customer health and wellbeing.

Here at Sunderland Care and Support we are fully committed to supporting people to lead lives which are productive, rewarding and fulfilling, actively encouraging personal development, skills-building and inclusion, ultimately leading to individual self-determination.

A team of staff from our Supported Living service have been praised by Dr Jen Rhodes from the Cumbria Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust for their efforts and success in achieving this for one particular individual. Dr Rhodes wrote…..

I wanted to recognise a recent example of how we have worked with Sunderland Care and Support to deliver a great outcome for a service user. Our team have been working with a Miss S for over ten years. In that time she has lived in a number of homes, supported by different providers. Her previous placements have broken down due to behaviours which challenge, and services not meeting her needs. Earlier this year Sunderland Care and Support took over her care, and since then, we have seen a huge improvement in her quality of life. We recognise that this is partly due to the strength and resilience of Miss S, but it is also due to the support and commitment from SCAS.

The team have been supported by Ashleigh Cook, the SCAS Positive Behavioural Support practitioner. Ashleigh’s training and experience in challenging behaviour and PBS means that she has been able to help the team to understand the function of Miss S’ behaviour, and review her Behaviour Support Plan in collaboration with staff. Ashleigh and Gareth Ord (Service Manager) have also worked hard to promote staff wellbeing. We recognise that at times, staff have worked in very difficult circumstances, but they have shown high levels of care, compassion, and kindness. Miss S will continue to use behaviours that challenge from time to time, but we feel confident that staff will support her to live a good quality of life, spending her time doing the things she enjoys.

In July 2020 our team were able to discharge Miss S, because we felt so confident that she was receiving the care and support she needs. There was a time when we would never have envisaged this happening. We would like to say a big thank you to all the staff who have worked with Miss S to deliver this great outcome. We wish Miss S and staff all the best for the future.

Dr Jen Rhodes

Principal Clinical Psychologist

View and print bulletin PBS Recognition Bulletin