About Shephed Carers

Values:

The business operates as a workers co-operative and all members are able to participate in the decision making process within the enterprise.

Shepshed Carers customer care policy is as follows:

Service provision

is based on operational values and principles of care.

Values and Principles of Care:

The cooperative believes that, for services to be effective, they should be based on sound values and principles and an understanding of the fundamental and individual needs of people.

The Service Values are as Follows:

Privacy: The right of individuals to be left alone or undisturbed and free from intrusion. This is taken into account in the formulation of Care Plans, and will only be overridden in exceptional circumstances, and with the knowledge of the service user or their advocate.

Confidentiality: Service user confidentiality is, wherever possible, maintained. On occasion, it will be necessary, for the benefit of the service user or others to share personal information with either other professionals or organisations. Where possible, service users are consulted and their views taken into account.

Dignity:

All individuals, whatever their circumstances, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Anti-discrimination:

Many service users, because of their circumstances, (eg age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, religion or nationality), may find themselves in circumstances in which discrimination can occur. The cooperative designs it’s services and delivery to, wherever possible, promote equality and counteract discrimination where it arises.

Communication:

Service users have the right to be heard and to be fully informed on all aspects of their care. Methods of communication are appropriate to the particular abilities and experiences of each individual, and are tailored to each particular set of circumstances.

Independence:

Service users are enabled to act independently. Services are aimed at maximising the individual’s capacity for self-care and mobility.

Risk Taking:

All service users are entitled to make decisions about their daily lives and activities. This may, from time to time, result in a conflict between ensuring safety and maximising independence. Service users will be supported in their decisions to take reasonable risks.

Fulfilment:

Every individual, whatever their circumstances, has the potential for development, and the right to hold personal aspirations. Within the boundaries set by legislation and professional social work ethics, service users are encouraged in achieving their personal goals.

Rights:

The rights of citizenship are safeguarded for all service users. Works should be conducted in a manner that facilitates empowerment and makes appropriate use of advocacy.

Responsibilities: Service users are expected to accept appropriate responsibilities, taking into account their particular abilities and circumstances. These may include having due regard to others, for property or for participation in Care Plans.

Choice:

Services are designed to be accessible and flexible, promoting ordinary lifestyles and based upon service user’s own choices. Individual choice is promoted, within the limits imposed by service constraints.

Operational Principles

1. Service users should be regarded as individuals with differing needs for whom each individual package of care should be tailored.
2. Service users should be able to live at home with minimum restrictions on their movements and activities (taking ability, insight, risk factors and legal and resource constraints into consideration) This can mean accepting a degree of risk over physical safety
3. The cooperative will ensure flexibility and will adapt to changing needs and requirements of service users and their carers/families.
4. The cooperative will make all attempts to respect an individual’s chosen lifestyle.
5. Everyone involved with the cooperative share a common purpose in maintaining and improving the self-respect and motivation as well as health and independence of service users
6. The cooperative strives to maintain and, if possible, improve the quality of life for service users.
    
7. The cooperative builds around the skills and abilities of service users and promotes the goal of empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.
    
8. The cooperative consults with and involves service users and their carers whilst ensuring confidentiality.