News Archive – 2001

The 13th and 14th December 2001 saw the production of the Community Care Solutions Residents’ Christmas Pantomime. The Pantomime was a traditional Christmas Panto combined with Doctor Who and was produced and directed by Kevin Burke, our resident Drama Therapist, with a cast from the residents of Aspen House, Magnolia House and Oakland’s. The production had two presentations. The 13th at Oakley Village Hall for Friends and Family, and on the 14th at Putnoe Heights Church Day Centre. The pantomime was a great hit with all those who attended and its success was due to the hard work and commitment of Kevin, the staff team, and not least the residents who have been in rehearsals for the last few months every Thursday afternoon at Oakley Village Hall.

Community Care Solutions are delighted to have secured funding for TOPSS Induction Training for all members of staff. The funding was secured as part of a Partnership Bid between Community Care Solutions, Home Care Solutions and Care on Call and was part of the National Programme of Induction Funding currently being offered by TOPSS. Mark Constant, Community Care Solutions Managing Director, is currently a member of the London Regional Training Forum for TOPSS and Sheira Plentie, Community Care Solutions Administrator, also gives her time to the London Regional Training Forum as its Administrator. Mark said that he is delighted that Community Care Solutions have been able to put together a successful bid, and look forward to all staff working through their four training modules to complete their TOPSS Approved-Induction Programme. Training will take place between December 2001 - March 2002, based at both Bedford and Luton and will cover the following areas; Induction / Care Principles, Moving and Handling, Food Hygiene and Emergency First Aid. It is envisaged that in total, Community Care Solutions and Home Care Solutions will train over 40 people during this period. TOPSS are the NTO (National Training Organisation) for the Social Care Sector and all staff employed within Social Care will need to have completed the Approved TOPSS training or similar accredited programmes within the specified times laid down by both the National Care Standards Commission and the General Council for Social Care.

Following a very thorough inspection visit of our Aspen House operations, Community Care Solutions are delighted to announce that we have been accepted as members of the British Federation of Care Home Proprietors. Accreditation by the British Federation is a symbol of our commitment to quality and the future of the sector. We are delighted to be associated with the British Federation of Care Home Proprietors and will work actively to improve the provision of Residential Care within our sector. Community Care Solutions are also members of ARC and the SCA.

Community Care Solutions are delighted to be given approval by the DofEE to display the positive about disabled people logo. Managing Director Mark Constant said, “We feel this is an important acknowledgement of our company’s commitment, to Equal Opportunities not only for our residents, but also to our staff who work tirelessly to provide a quality service”. Community Care Solutions are an Equal Opportunities Employer believing in everybody’s individual value and ability to make a contribution.

Following the installation of a new server and completion of the company’s local and wide area network systems, not only are the Units and Head Office linked by e-mail, file transfer protocols and a real time intranet, but are also now linked to the outside world. This is the first step in Community Care Solutions drive to integrate modern technology with the provision of Quality Client-Centred Care Services. The introduction of these systems will enable communication between the Units to operate 24hours, seven days a week, thereby speed up the provision of the services, decision-making and communication across the company.

Following on recent successes, Community Care Solutions are delighted to announce the acquisition of two Residential Units Oaklands in Bedford and Magnolia House in Biggleswade. Oaklands is a 7 Bed Residential Home for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour and Magnolia House is a 5 Bed Residential Home for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour. Managing Director Mark Constant said; “Both Oaklands and Magnolia House are excellent examples of Residential Homes combining high quality environmental facilities with committed professional staff. We are delighted with our acquisition of Oaklands and Magnolia House and are sure these will be the first of many”. Oaklands has been established as a Residential Home for 6 years, and Magnolia House for 3. Both homes are in superb decorative order and offer large individual rooms complimented by ample communal space. Oaklands is located 5 minutes walk from Bedford Town Centre and Magnolia House is 5 minutes walk from the busy market town of Biggleswade. Both have excellent access to the Local Community Leisure Centres and main modes of transportation. The addition of Oaklands and Magnolia House bring the total number of bed spaces operated by Community Care Solutions to twenty.

Community Care Solutions are delighted to announce the opening of their new 8 Bed Home in Rushden, Northamptonshire. Aspen House is a re-developed Residential Unit, specifically designed and decorated to offer an environment for those clients with Learning Disabilities / Challenging Behaviour with additional complex needs. Aspen House has been developed with the New National Care Standards in mind and meets all the required elements currently proposed by the National Standards. Situated in the town of Rushden, Aspen House has excellent links with the Community, local shopping and Leisure Centres. With over double the new standard requirements for communal space and three garden areas, there is plenty of space for residents indoors or outdoors where they can participate in outdoor activities during good weather, gardening or sit quite in their own area of the garden. The home has two lounges and two dining rooms, enabling clients to live in 2 smaller groups.

Community Care Solutions opened its new Head Offices in Bedford earlier this week. The New Head Offices have been converted from an old Builder’s Yard and Stables and comprise four offices including a meeting room, accounts offices and 2 general administration offices with full phone system and category 5 cabling throughout, enabling the new server to provide reliable and fast I.T services, not only within the existing Head Office, but via the Company Intranet to all the Residential Units. With its own parking area, fully equipped kitchen etc, this new office on the edge of the town centre, should offer both a pleasant environment for Staff together with an effective Management Centre.