1  Definition of the Service

1.1 The aim of Community Support Services is to support people to live the lives they want as equal citizens in the community.

 1.2 To achieve this aim we recognise that direct support needs to be available to the service user, either 1:1 or on a small “peer/friendship group” basis to enable people to participate in a range of life opportunities. The service should provide just the right level of support, advice and information to Service Users to encourage independence and social inclusion, promote health and well-being, keep people safe and to assist Service Users to achieve maximum choice and control in their life.

1.3  MCJA will, wherever possible, seek to find and develop natural and informal support arrangements i.e. the focus of the service becomes one of co-ordinating, bridge-building and signposting rather than exclusively providing, the range of support. Support will  be provided within a framework underpinned by person centred planning, placing the Service User at the centre of service delivery and enabling the Service User to exercise maximum choice and control. Support should be targeted at facilitating access to mainstream universal services. The service is available seven days a week including evenings basis, according to demand in order that Service Users can access a full range of opportunities.

1.4  MCJA acknowledges that a range of external factors can create disabling barriers and result in social exclusion. MCJA  will develop relationships and undertake outreach work across a range of agencies, providers and communities within a neighbourhood to ensure co-ordinated action to address barriers, create new opportunities and improve public awareness of, and positive responses to, Service Users.

1.5  Some elements of the  service will be targeted at providing early intervention support to prevent the need for more intensive and costly support in the future. The key features of this kind of early intervention service would be to promote social inclusion and improve the quality of life and would be:
·    time limited
·    “bridge building” – ie supporting the service user for a defined period of time to assist in them making relationships and connections and then withdrawing support
·    Advice, information and signposting
·    interventions focused around increasing confidence and skills


2    Objectives of the Service

    2.1 The key objectives of the service are to:

• To provide individually tailored, one-to-one and ongoing support for Service Users to engage in and sustain mainstream activities in ordinary community settings, alongside other members of the community
• To work in partnership with a range of agencies and communities to identify and tackle disabling barriers and create more inclusive environments and opportunities for Service Users (e.g. transport providers, community safety, neighbourhood management areas)
• To ensure that the Service User is supported to exercise maximum choice and control in relation to the support they receive
• To support Service Users to develop and maintain family, friendship and community networks and maximise natural supports.
• Support Service Users to maintain their independence and manage their health and well-being
• To ensure the personal care needs of Service Users (where required) are met with respect and dignity whilst engaging activities
• To support family carers by giving them a break from providing day to day care and/or respond to the need for support in times of emergency or crisis.
   

3    Assessment and risk

3.1 Prior to the commencement of the service all service users will receive a visit from our Review and Assessment team to complete an initial support plan.   For Service Users with more complex needs or who challenge services MCJA will work with relevant professionals and adhere to agreed risk management strategies.

3.2  At the  time of the  initial assessment  all service users will be provided with a copy of the company’s Service User Guide and  Have Your Say leaflet . A copy of the support plan will also be left with the service user.

4    Care and support planning

4.1  Any service offered will  be underpinned by effective and timely person centred planning that finds out what people want in order to achieve social inclusion.

5.    Standards and Targets

5.1    Service Outcomes
   
The Community Support Service will be monitored against the 7 outcomes listed below using the outcomes framework.

• Improved health
• Improved quality of life
• Making a positive contribution
• Exercise of choice and control
• Freedom from discrimination or harassment
• Economic well-being
• Personal dignity

5.2    Service Tasks & Interventions

Service tasks and interventions will be geared towards achieving the outcomes identified in 3.1 above. However, it is also important that needs assessment and support planning captures the many other needs that may be important in individual Service Users’ lives including:-

• Ensure that the Service User is supported to exercise maximum choice and control in relation to the support they receive.
• Support Service User to access a range of volunteering and employment opportunities.
• Encourage Service User to be active members of the community.
• Support Service User to develop and maintain family, friendship and community networks.
• Support Service User to maintain and manage their health and well-being
• Support Service User to manage and maintain their finances
• Support Service User to acquire daily living skills and carry out daily living tasks
• Ensure the dignity and personal care needs of Service Users     (where required) are met whilst engaging in the above activities
• Facilitate Service Users access to public and community transport to enable them to engage in activities.
• Support Service Users to stay safe and free from discrimination, harassment, crime.

6    Outcome monitoring

MCJA will review the support plan at  least every six months and will monitor whether the outcomes in the support plan are being achieved. 

MCJA  will take cognisance of the principles outlined in The White Paper 2006, “Our Health, Our Care, Our Say” when agreeing and assessing Service User Outcomes,

Outcomes will  be monitored for all Service Users regardless of the level, type or length of service they are receiving.