Priory Fern Lodge

We support our residents to attend family events and visit their family homes. Most of the people we support are able to go out independently, although we will provide extra support to those require it, working closely with the resident and their relatives to ensure possible risks are managed and everyone is supported.

Family and friends are welcome to visit. We do ask that loved ones give advance notice of their visit to both the resident and their staff team, so this can be planned into the diary.

All our residents have capacity under the Mental Health Act, and make their own decisions. However we would always encourage residents to stay in contact with their relatives. If a relative does have more involvement or is an advocate, we would certainly keep them informed and arrange reviews and consultations on a regular basis.

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. We have one phone line which can get very busy. We encourage our residents to purchase their own mobile, and our staff team can support where necessary.

Bedrooms are all furnished and residents are supported to personalise them to suit their needs and wishes. All of the bedrooms have their own wash room facilities, and everyone has access to the communal facilities, too.

We have an open-door policy, meaning that our residents are free to come and go, in line with their individual support plans. For the safety of our residents, our garden at the back is gated with a high fence, security cameras, and lighting out of the property.

We offer a wide range of meals, with a choice of options. Residents, with support from our staff, are all involved in choosing the menu, and are supported to choose and prepare what they want to eat, whenever they like. We encourage people to maintain healthy diets, which also suit their individual tastes.

Our team will ensure that residents always have access to clean clothes and bedding, although residents are encouraged to do their own laundry, as part of developing their daily living skills. We have laundry facilities within our utility room, and our staff are on hand to offer support if and when it is required.

Staff support and encourage our residents to complete these tasks within their own rooms independently. We also have a dedicated housekeeper and maintenance team at the home, who can help out where it is needed.

Residents are not allowed to bring illegal or harmful substances onto the premises. Given the nature of the service, we also request that no alcohol is brought into the home.

Activities are planned according to our residents’ choices and interests. Thorough risk assessments are conducted before any activity. Everyone has a tailored activities planner, which will include both in-house activities as well as visits into the community.

A traffic light document system is in place for all residents. This is a low-level support service and there are rarely any incidents of behaviours that challenge occurring, that require additional interventions other than a proactive approach.

Some residents have family involvement, and all our residents have capacity to have input into their own care plans. These are completed alongside our care team, with the full involvement of the individual. Where a person wants their families to be involved, we are happy to support with this.

We have some off-road parking available on the driveway, and there is additional on-road parking.

We don’t permit smoking inside the building. Residents can smoke outside in the designated area, and are able to buy cigarettes or vapes at the shops, if this is what they choose. We allow vaping in their own bedrooms, but not in communal spaces. We do encourage healthy lifestyles, and can support residents with smoking cessation programmes.

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.