About this location
The Foam is located in the village of Dymchurch, Kent. The service provides residential support to three males who are autistic or have a learning disability. The home is set just off a main road, not far from the seafront.
Our team are dedicated to supporting our residents within a quieter relaxed home in which they can choose to spend their days how they wish.
We can also support those who have difficulties with communication.
Services at a glance
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About our service
Our facilities and environment
The large detached, communal bungalow has lots of space and offers a relaxed, homely environment. There are three bedrooms and they are all on the ground floor. Residents can use a communal wet room too.
In summary, we offer:
- A large lounge with plenty of seating
- Kitchen and dining room
- Communal wet room
We also have our own garden, complete with:
- Secure fencing
- Lawn
- Patio
- Communal seating
- Wheelchair access
In addition, we have a seven-seater 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. They all come furnished, and we can support people to add more furnishings in to make the space their own.
Our approach to support
Everybody who lives at The Foam 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 The Foam include:
- Positive behaviour support (PBS)
- Occupational therapy
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Psychology
We also have support from a local multidisciplinary team to offer some of these services. In addition, we use tools such as the Outcomes Star™ and Active Support to support our residents to achieve their goals.
The lengths of the placements that we offer at The Foam can be medium or long-term residential, depending on the needs of each person.
Activities
Everyone who lives at The Foam 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
- Females as we are an male-only home
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
- Gardener
Our team receive specialist staff training, designed to meet the needs of each individual we support.
A message from our site leader
The gentlemen at The Foam wish to spend their days within a quiet atmosphere. We support them and they can take part in activities in small groups or one-to-one
The Foam’s site leader
Comments from our residents and their family and friends
The home is really nice and the dinners are great
Family and friends FAQs
How does home leave work?
We understand how important family connections are to some of the people we support. We will facilitate our residents’ attendance at family events and visits to their family homes.
Can friends and families visit?
Family and friends are welcome to visit, but please let us know in advance. 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. Families will be contacted on an individual basis regarding their preferences for staying in touch.
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. Our friendly team can assist with this, although we may not be able to remove some of the furniture.
Are external doors kept locked?
Our doors are only locked at night, for the security of our residents. We do conduct thorough risk assessments to ensure that we are keeping everyone safe.
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 promote independence, and will support the people who live here to develop their kitchen skills. Alternative meals, snacks and beverages will also be provided, where required.
How does laundry work?
Residents are given help to do their own laundry, as part of promoting independence. We have laundry facilities on-site, and our team can support with this.
Who does the housekeeping and domiciliary tasks?
Most of our residents undertake domiciliary tasks such as cleaning, and there is a rota in place to assign tasks. The people who live here take pride in their surroundings, and everyone contributes to the upkeep of the home.
Is there anything they can’t bring or have?
Residents are not allowed to bring illegal substances onto the premises. Other items may be discussed on a case-by-case basis if there are any concerns.
How do activities work?
A personalised activities planner is developed for all residents with their input. We work with people to understand their likes, hobbies, and aspirations, and tailor our calendar of activities to fit this. This includes visits to the community, as well as activities within the home.
How will residents be supported with their behavioural needs?
At the assessment stage, we develop in-depth support plans, considering each individuals’ unique needs. These plans will be reviewed and adapted to reflect changes in behaviours. If required, we can seek out the support of a regional PBS lead within Priory.
Do residents and families have an input into the care plans?
Yes, we work with residents, families and professionals, ensuring that support plans are fully reflective of the individual’s needs and goals. We work with the resident’s wider circle of support to gather important information to facilitate this. The care plans are regularly reviewed, and families can continue to be part of the review process.
What are the car parking facilities?
There is space for two cars on-site.
What is the smoking policy?
We have no residents who smoke in our home currently. However, if this were to change, we would require people to smoke outside of the house. 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.