Priory St Michaels

We work with every residents’ family and arrange bespoke visits such as supporting family on holidays. Family connections are important to many people, so we strive to support people to maintain these significant bonds.

Family and friends are welcome to visit and take part in our activities too. There are no overnight stays unfortunately, but we are always happy to facilitate day visits, with notice.

Updates on their loved ones care is provided bespoke to family requirements. We will work with people on an individual basis to support this, whether through in-person visits, phone calls or emails or messages.

We have a tablet at the home for residents to use for video calls or a landline for telephone calls. We can provide support to the people who live here to help them use these modes of communication.

Bedrooms are all furnished and residents can personalise them to suit their needs and wishes. Furniture cannot be removed as some of it is fitted or has been purchased to suit certain specifications. However, we will work with people to ensure that their room feels their own.

Although our external doors are locked to ensure the safety of the people who live here, every resident is individually risk assessed. Everyone can come and go in our large garden area and courtyard, which have secure fencing.

Communications tools such as picture boards are used to enable residents to choose what they want to eat. Each person has different communication needs and advice is also sought from family members and our nutritionists. We can cater for all special dietary requirements, and will also provide snacks of choice, beverages and alternative meals.

Some flats have their own washing machine where residents can do their own washing, where they are able. We also have a separate utility room which residents make use of either independently or with the support of their key worker. Bedding and towels will be provided.

Residents are supported to tidy and clean their own flats, which helps to promote their independence. Staff are on hand for anything they have not been able to complete.

High risk personal items such as family heirlooms are discouraged as we cannot guarantee their safety. Items where the risks cannot be appropriately managed, such as non-approved drugs and medications, solvent-based products and lighters may be restricted.

It is important that residents are given the opportunity to have a say on their individualised activities timetable. There are lots of opportunities to take part in fun pursuits here and in the community. A variety of communication tools are used to give people choice, and we will work with people to understand their likes, preferences and goals, to help us tailor our calendar of activities accordingly.

St Michaels follows a PBS approach, and have a PBS practitioner in-house to support people with their needs. We also use the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® framework, which means we focus on proactive strategies, rather than physical intervention, and our team includes trained instructors in PROACT-SCIPr-UK®. We require our care plans which include restrictions to be re-assessed, and removed where possible, to promote least restrictive practice. We also use the STOMP method, which involves stopping the over medication of people with a learning disability, people on the autism spectrum or both, within the service.

Care plans are regularly reviewed and everyone’s views, including families and social workers, are included. In the best interests of our residents, we use different communication methods to give them a voice too.

There is off-road parking for three cars.

St Michaels is a non-smoking home. If someone wants to smoke, they will need to do so outside of the house.

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.