A copy is available here , (PDF format, 8 pages, 75.5 KB) ( This link opens in a new window) alternatively a copy of any policy can be requested from the Scheme Warden
Contents
1. Statement of Purpose and Function/Aims and Objectives
A full copy of this has been issued to all tenants.
The aim of the training strategy is to achieve best value from staff resources for the maximum benefit of all service users and tenants. This policy covers the training for new and existing employees of the Sheltered Housing Service of the Moray Council. All staff must undertake ongoing training to ensure tenants receive a good quality service. Examples of training given are first aid, infection control, fire risks, equal opportunities and team working.
This policy aims to ensure that each tenant receiving a support service has a high quality service, which meets the National Care Standards of the Care Commission. Staff are advised how to record necessary information on the type of service requested, how to deal with emergencies in accordance with the tenants’ wishes and generally makes sure that tenants’ wishes are met as far as is possible. The policy also covers making changes as situations alter to ensure the most appropriate service is given at all times.
4. Anti-discriminatory practice/Equal Opportunities
This is a Corporate Policy. That means it covers all of the services provided by the Moray Council. The council is committed to taking all steps within its power to eliminate discrimination and racial incidents and to promote equal opportunities and good relationships among all communities.
The policy gives guidelines to staff on treating everyone equally, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, illness or age.
5. Dealing with difficult behaviours
This policy recognises the difficulties in managing violence and aggression at work and aims to put in place steps to give advice and support to staff who may have to deal with people who are not behaving reasonably through illness or the effects of alcohol or drugs. They may be very angry for personal reasons or due to a perceived or actual failure of the service.
6. Prevention and Detection of Abuse
This policy has been agreed by the Moray Council, Grampian Police, Elgin Sheriff’s Court, and NHS Grampian. It has been developed to ensure that no vulnerable person is badly treated by those who have dealings with him/her.
A vulnerable adult is defined as ‘an adult who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability or illness and is or may be unable to take care of themselves or to protect themselves against significant harm or serious exploitation’.
The policy defines types of abuse, ways to recognise them and intervention steps, which may be taken to resolve the problem in conjunction with social work, housing and health services, and the police.
The Moray Council recognises its duty to care for staff who work alone in the community, including in its Sheltered Housing schemes. Any action which has the potential to threaten the welfare and/or health of tenants, staff or others who visit the property, needs to be anticipated and steps taken to minimise the danger.
These steps include testing of all alarm systems – Community Alarm, smoke detectors and Carbon monoxide and training all members of staff to recognise problems at an early stage so that action may be taken to avoid harm to anyone.
The Moray Council has a corporate policy to enable those who are dissatisfied with the quality of service provided to make a complaint and receive a satisfactory response within a given time.
This gives the Council an opportunity to understand the view of its customers, to put things right when things have gone wrong and to improve its services in an open and accountable way. The policy sets out how to make a complaint to The Moray Council.
In addition those who receive Housing Support, which proves unsatisfactory, can make a complaint to the Care Commission.
9. Health and Safety including (where applicable):
This policy covers the situation which can arise if something happens which prevents the normal service being provided. This could be illness, or accident to a staff member, which prevents that person doing the normal work. Or it can be failure of the alarm system, gas or electricity supplies.
Agreed arrangements for emergencies are made to make sure tenants remain safe and comfortable in all situations.
Confidentiality policy covers the obligation of the Moray Council staff to keep personal information regarding the tenant private and make sure it is only shared with the tenant’s consent. This includes written and verbal communications and includes information stored on a computer system.
This policy ensures that all tenants of The Moray Council Sheltered Housing properties have ready access to all of the services provided by the Sheltered Housing Service. No tenant will be discriminated against on grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability, illness or age.
This is a Moray Council corporate policy, which covers the prohibition of smoking in public areas of all properties, which are owned by the Council. Within Sheltered Housing it specifically refers to common rooms and shared corridors, for example in Larch Court.
14. Staff recruitment, selection and retention
This is a Moray Council corporate policy, which explains the aim of attracting suitably qualified and experienced persons to any job vacancy, which arises. It also covers equal opportunities, training and the support of new members of staff.
15. Staff supervision and appraisal
This is a Moray Council corporate policy, which covers the way staff members are supervised. It gives a code of conduct for employees regarding acceptable behaviour and explains disciplinary policy and procedure which can be used in the event of any failure to meet standards. All members of staff have to undertake an employee review and development interview to get feedback on performance and to identify and address training needs.
16. Starting and Stopping the Service
This policy has been developed to meet the standards of the Care Commission. It explains how tenants can ask for the warden visits to be changed or stopped and the implications of making any changes.
The Moray Council has a charter of rights, which covers the quality of service which members of the public can expect. It explains how to make complaints in the event of the failure or poor quality of any service.
This policy has been developed to meet the standards of the Care Commission. It explains the rights of tenants to receive support services if they chose to move from the Council’s sheltered housing but still want and need help from support workers e.g. home helps.
The Moray Council has a corporate policy to ensure the highest standards of openness and accountability. This aims to re-assure staff members and service users that they can make complaints safely where they feel that the service has failed. As a result action can be taken to sort out any problems.
20. Use of volunteers/students
This policy has been developed to meet the standards of the Care Commission. It explains that the sheltered housing support services will only be given by trained staff and the use of volunteers will be limited to helping at social events.
Students will not be permitted to undertake unsupervised visits to tenants at any time but may accompany a warden with the consent of the tenant.
21. Transport (where applicable)
There is no transport policy for Sheltered Housing Support services since no transport is provided directly by the service.
22. Quality Assurance/Evaluation
This policy has been developed to meet the standards of the Care Commission and to ensure that the services provided by the sheltered housing wardens meets the Best Value Regime introduced by central government.
Monitoring of the service is undertaken by the Community Services Department management, tenants, and their relatives.