Sometimes we are asked why our baseline fees for specialist residential care are the same, regardless of the size of the bedroom and the facilities within it. This is because it’s not just the fee for the room (as when booking a hotel), all the wraparound care and other facilities are included too. For example:

• Therapies provided by the multi-disciplinary team, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, which are then implemented on a daily basis by the care/activity support staff
• Neuropsychiatry support
• Psychology support
• Daily activities within the home, such as music enrichment, sports, games, arts & crafts, baking
• Community activities, day trips, holidays and supported home visits
• Communal facilities with the home – lounge and dining areas, gym, gardens

Therefore the cost of an individual’s care package is determined by various components – see the graph below. The largest single element is staffing so the therapies and the level of care that someone needs will influence the cost. For instance, some people may require 1:1 or 2:1 care initially, which may be reduced later.

 

 

 

 

 

Range of facilities within each home

Our residential homes are buildings with character, so the rooms aren’t all the same size or shape. And the homes have several different communal spaces, which means that our service users can choose where to spend their time and don’t feel confined to their room.

Some of the larger rooms at The Richardson Mews and The Coach House have kitchenette facilities, which may include a fridge, kettle and microwave. If someone has a goal of developing their daily living skills to make a hot drink and a snack, then providing them with these facilities may be appropriate. However, if that’s not an initial goal for someone, or they don’t have the capacity and skills to use the kitchenette, then it’s not appropriate for them to have those facilities. Instead, they may be supported by the care staff to use the occupational therapy kitchen and will have all of their drinks and meals provided for them.

In addition, someone may need extra space if they are a wheelchair user. We take all of their needs into account when making an offer of a placement. The fee is determined by the overall care package, rather than the facilities within their room.