Priory Swerford House

It is important that residents are supported to keep in touch with their loved ones so we facilitate visits to family homes and attendance at family events. Of course, if there are any risks, these are carefully managed, as we want everyone to feel supported and have a positive experience. On some occasions, the individual’s key worker will come along too.

Although we cannot have overnight stays, family and friends are welcome to visit any time. Residents enjoy it too when their loved ones take part in activities, so that is actively encouraged. Please just let us know in advance when you are coming. If unknown visitors arrived unannounced, it can cause stress for some of our residents.

Yes - we keep family and friends involved in our residents’ care. Every month you will be invited to a meeting at the home, where you will meet with their support team and hear about recent happenings at the home. We can also arrange more regular catch-ups if you’d prefer, either in person or via telephone, to ensure you are kept informed. We also send out a regular newsletter.

Phone calls and video calls are arranged regularly. We can support our residents with this, where required.

Residents are supported to personalise their bedroom, which is fully furnished with robust, low arousal furniture. We want everyone to feel at home at Swerford House, and will support our residents to add their choice of décor.

Our external gates are locked using a keypad or keys, for the safety of our residents. However, every person will be risk assessed which will detail the level of security needed. We have a large garden area and courtyard which residents are free to enter and exit at their leisure.

Residents can choose and prepare their own meals. Staff can support with any problems or concerns they may have around meal times, such as preparing their own food. Guidance from family members and nutritionists is sought to ensure that special dietary requirements are catered for.

Our team will ensure that residents always have access to clean clothes and bedding. We have a utility room with laundry facilities, which residents make use of either independently or with the support of their key worker.

We have a rota in the home as most of our residents are able to carry out tasks such as cleaning. Tasks allocation is discussed in our monthly resident meetings.

Residents are not allowed to bring some items such as non-approved drugs and medications, solvent-based products and lighters. We would advise that family heirlooms are not brought in either as their safety cannot be guaranteed.

An activities planner including both in-house activities as well as visits into the community is developed for every resident, personalised to their tastes and interests. We want residents to be able to actively contribute and suggest things they want to do, so their key worker will use a variety of communication tools, including pictures, so they can have a say.

Here at Swerford House we have a PBS practitioner on-site, who supports our residents with PBS plans, and helps ensure the right support is in place to meet that person’s needs. We use the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® framework, which means we focus on proactive strategies, rather than physical intervention. We require our care plans which include restrictions to be assessed frequently, as we are committed to using least restrictive practice.

The views of residents, family members and professionals including social workers will be taken into account in the development of care plans. Due to the varying needs of the people we care for, we use a variety of communication tools to work collaboratively with them so the plans are tailored to their needs.

There is parking for nine cars and two mini buses outside the home.

We currently have no residents who smoke at the home. We do not permit smoking indoors, including vapes, and would allocate an area outside for people to smoke.

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.