About this location
Westview is located in Folkestone, in Kent. It offers residential support for six males with a learning disability, who may also be autistic or have Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). We are off a main road, near the town centre.
Our team are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the people we support, helping them to achieve positive outcomes. We want to help each person we care for to have a healthy, happy and independent life, within a safe and welcoming home.
We can also support those who have difficulties with communication and mild to moderate behaviours that challenge.
Services at a glance
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About our service
Our facilities and environment
Westview is set within a detached, Victorian property, which offers a relaxed, homely environment. There are a total of six bedrooms, which are split across the three floors.
In summary, we offer:
- A large lounge with plenty of seating
- Kitchen and dining room
- Quiet room
- Utility room
- Communal bathroom
- Communal wet room and toilet
We also have our own garden, complete with:
- Secure fencing
- Lawn
- Patio
- Communal seating
- Vegetable patch
Our bedrooms
All of our bedrooms are comfortable, welcoming and can be personalised to individual tastes. One of our bedrooms has en-suite facilities, containing a shower, and one of the bedrooms is on the ground floor.
Our approach to support
Everybody who lives at Westview 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.
In addition, we use tools such as the Outcomes Star™, including the Life Star, to support our residents to achieve their goals. We also have support from a local multidisciplinary team to provide additional services to our residents.
The lengths of the placements that we offer at Westview can be medium or long-term residential, depending on the needs of each person.
Activities
Everyone who lives at Westview 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 a 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. At Westview we have close links with Priory Supported Living Kent.
Our team
Our highly experienced team consists of:
- Service manager
- Deputy manager
- Support workers
- Senior support workers
- Maintenance worker
- Gardener
Our team receive specialist staff training, designed to meet the needs of each individual we support. This includes:
- Autism specialist training
- PWS training
- Diabetes management training
A message from our site leader
The people we support are all encouraged to work as a team and independently. This is set according to their individual abilities, differing lifestyles and needs. I am very proud of the people we support, and the constant reminder they always give us on a daily basis that we are doing our job well.
Westview’s site leader
Comments from our residents and their family and friends
I have known Westview, the residents and the staff since the home opened. I am closely involved with the welfare of one of the residents and the care and support offered is excellent. The staff are well motivated and as a group are very settled and committed to the residents. The home is always well presented and the welcome to visitors is always fulsome and very positive. I am always kept in regular touch and learn of any concerns immediately. The manager leads the team with professionalism and a natural sense of caring whilst also running the home alongside the requirements of all related authorities
Family and friends FAQs
How does home leave work?
We support our residents to have active relationships with their families. We can support them on visits to their family home, or to other events or activities with their loves ones.
Can friends and families visit?
We encourage regular visits from family and friends – they can even take part in our activities. All we ask is for advance notice as some of our residents are anxious when visitors arrived unannounced. 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?
We can also arrange regular catch-ups either in person or via telephone, to ensure families are kept informed. We will work with families individually to decide the best way to keep them in the loop.
Will my loved one be able to have a phone or call me?
All residents have their own mobile phones and are supported to use the home phone too. This enables them to stay in touch with the people they care about.
What are the bedrooms like?
Bedrooms are all furnished and residents are supported to personalise them to suit their needs and wishes, with their choice of colour palette, furnishings and personal items.
Are external doors kept locked?
Our doors are only locked at night for safety reasons. Residents often will be provided with their own keys, enabling their independence. This will of course be subject to a risk assessment to ensure they are safe.
What do residents eat and how do meal times work?
Residents plan their main meals each day. They decide on the day in case they changed their minds about what they fancy eating. Many of our residents get involved in food preparation as part of their activities of daily living. We can support them with this and ensure their diet is healthy and well-rounded.
How does laundry work?
We have a utility room with laundry facilities, where residents can wash their own clothes or with the support of their key worker. Our team will ensure that residents always have access to clean clothes and bedding.
Who does the housekeeping and domiciliary tasks?
Most of our residents undertake tasks around the home such as cleaning, and there is a rota in place for them to follow. Our care team support them with these tasks, and task allocation is also discussed in our monthly resident meetings.
Is there anything they can’t bring or have?
Residents are not allowed to bring illegal substances onto the premises.
How do activities work?
Everyone is involved in choosing the activities they want to do. There is an opportunity to take part in pursuits in the house as well as visits into the community. Their key worker may use a variety of communication tools to ensure the resident can have an input into the planning of activities.
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. We also have a key worker system in place, so each resident has a core staff team who are focused on them and their wellbeing.
Do residents and families have an input into the care plans?
We work with social workers, health professionals, family members and residents to develop our care plans, taking into account the best interests of our residents. Communication tools are often used to help each resident in having a say about every aspect of their care.
What are the car parking facilities?
There is space for three or four cars as well as on-street parking.
What is the smoking policy?
None of our residents currently smoke at the home. We do promote healthy lifestyles and can support residents with smoking cessation programmes. However, if a resident was to choose to smoke, they would need to do so outside of the building, and this also includes vapes.
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.