About this location
Located in Whitfield Village in Dover, Kent, 55 Sandwich Road offers residential support for two males who are autistic and/or have a learning disability. We are located in a semi-rural location, off a main road, and surrounded by lovely views and beautiful countryside.
Our team are dedicated to supporting the people we care for, their families and other professionals to ensure they live their best life, and this is full of joy and happiness.
We can also support those who have difficulties with communication and severe behaviours that challenge.
Services at a glance
There are a total of two bedrooms at the site. Of these:
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About our service
Our facilities and environment
Our home is a detached bungalow, which has lots of space and offers a relaxed, homely environment. In summary, we offer:
- A large lounge with plenty of seating
- Kitchen and dining room
- Utility room
- Communal bathroom
- Conservatory
We also have a garden, complete with:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Communal seating
- Wheelchair access
- Vegetable patch
In addition, we have a mobility-adapted site vehicle to help us to meet the needs of the people we support.
Our bedrooms
All of our bedrooms are comfortable, welcoming and can be personalised to individual tastes. There are two bedrooms which share a communal bathroom. Both of the bedrooms are on the ground floor and have wheelchair access and double beds.
Our approach to support
Everybody who lives at 55 Sandwich Road has their own person-centred care plan, which is co-produced with input from the individual, their family members and professionals involved in their care. We aim to help everyone in our care to make their own choices about the support they receive. This may include support in a number of areas, such as going out in the community, personal care, cooking and cleaning, and maintaining family relationships.
Our support approaches at 55 Sandwich Road include:
- Positive behaviour support (PBS)
- Occupational therapy
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Psychology
We have a PBS practitioner and all of our staff are also trained in PBS. To offer other services and therapies, we also have support from a local multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, reflexologist and masseuse. In addition, we use tools such as the Outcomes Star™ to support our residents to achieve their goals.
The lengths of the placements that we offer at 55 Sandwich Road can be medium or long-term residential, depending on the needs of each person.
Activities
Everyone who lives at 55 Sandwich Road has their own personalised activities planner and are encouraged to take part in activities which are meaningful and fulfilling to them. Our dedicated team organise a variety of activities at the home, as well as out in the community.
We focus on supporting our residents to grow their independence. For some people, this may mean developing their daily living skills within the home. For others, this could be accessing work or educational opportunities in the local community.
Exclusion profile
- Those who pose a risk to others in communal living areas
- Those with active, significant self-harm risks
- Females
Pathways
Through our network of healthcare, residential and supported living facilities, we provide unique care pathways which help the people we support to progress towards greater independence. Every individual we support is provided with a bespoke pathway plan, tailored according to their individual needs. We aim to ensure that each person is supported to live a fulfilling and active life in the community.
Our team
Our highly experienced team consists of:
- Service manager
- Deputy manager
- Support workers
- Senior support workers
- PBS practitioner
Our team receive specialist staff training, designed to meet the needs of each individual we support. This includes:
- Makaton training
- Specialist Autism training
- PBS training
A message from our site leader
Our lovely, detached bungalow has spacious rooms and gardens, and our staff provide the perfect environment to support individuals. It is a little bit of heaven within the Dover area. The staff working within the service have been here a long time, and are dedicated to making a positive difference to the individuals they support.
55 Sandwich Road’s site leader
Comments from our residents and their family and friends
I’m not able to visit my brother as often as what I would like due to my age, but it feels like I’m still part of his life through the updates I’m given and pictures I am sent. I feel happy knowing he is looked after and living his best life.
Family and friends FAQs
How does home leave work?
We support our residents to attend family events and visit their homes. We will work with the resident and their relatives to ensure possible risks are managed and that everyone is supported. This may mean the individual’s key worker will come along on the visit.
Can friends and families visit?
Family and friends are welcome to visit. Visits are usually planned in advance to support individual needs. Unfortunately, family members cannot stay overnight.
Will I be involved and kept up to date with the progress of my loved one’s care and support?
Yes, we strive to keep the loved ones of our residents involved in their care. Our team will arrange regular catch-ups either in person or via telephone, to ensure families are kept informed. We can also send photos and updates via message.
Will my loved one be able to have a phone or call me?
Everyone who stays with us are supported to call their loved ones any time, via phone or video call. Family and friends are also able to call as often as they like. In addition, we can support our residents to get their own mobile phone, where appropriate.
What are the bedrooms like?
Bedrooms are all furnished and residents are supported to personalise them to suit their needs and wishes. Some of the furniture has been purchased to suit the needs of our residents and some of it is fitted, and therefore cannot be removed.
Are external doors kept locked?
Yes, due to the nature of our service, our external doors are locked. However, every resident will be risk assessed to determine the level of security needed. We have a large garden area and patio where individuals can freely exit and enter the building.
What do residents eat and how do meal times work?
Residents are supported to choose and prepare what they want to eat, whenever they like. We will however support residents with any problems or concerns they may have around meal times, such as preparing their own food. Our team will also seek guidance from family members and nutritionists to ensure that special dietary requirements are catered for.
How does laundry work?
Residents are supported do their own laundry, as part of promoting independence. Our staff are on hand to offer assistance if and when it is required. Our team will ensure that residents always have access to clean clothes and bedding.
Who does the housekeeping and domiciliary tasks?
Our residents undertake domiciliary tasks such as cleaning, as outlined in their support plans. Our care team can aid them with the completion of these tasks, and task allocation is also discussed regularly.
Is there anything they can’t bring or have?
Residents are not allowed to bring illegal substances onto the premises. We would also ask that people do not bring high risk personal items into the house. We may place restrictions on some items where the risks cannot be appropriately managed, such as non-approved drugs and medications, solvent-based products and lighters.
How do activities work?
Each of our residents benefit from a tailored activities planner. This will include both in-house activities as well as visits into the community. Their key worker may use a variety of communication tools to ensure the person can have an input into the planning of activities.
How will residents be supported with their behavioural needs?
We use the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® framework, which means we focus on proactive strategies, rather than physical intervention. Our residents receive PBS input, and we will work closely with people on an individual basis to undertake comprehensive assessments of their needs and behaviours, and develop the right strategies for our team to support them.
Do residents and families have an input into the care plans?
Yes, we encourage families and extended support providers to be involved with the care plans. We use a variety of communication tools to work collaboratively with the person we care for to co-produce the plans so they are tailored to their needs. We value input from others, where appropriate.
What are the car parking facilities?
We have a limited amount of on-site parking at 55 Sandwich Road. Our team can advise you on other nearby parking options.
What is the smoking policy?
We have a designated area in the garden for residents to smoke or to vape, and they can be supported to purchase cigarettes at the shop, if this is what they choose. However, we do promote healthy lifestyles and can support residents with smoking cessation programmes.
What are your fees and how are they funded?
Our fees can vary and are based on an assessment of each individual's needs. Many people are eligible for financial help towards the cost of support, and this funding can be accessed by contacting your local authority. Once funding has been agreed, we will work with your local care team to put together a bespoke package of care. Please note, referrals for NHS or Local Authority funded services must come from a referring organisation.
How to make a referral
Our service provides high quality support to people with varying levels of need. Referrals can be made through the individual’s social care team or, if relevant, their local health authority. If you are a professional looking to make a referral, please call us or fill in our enquiry form.