News Archive – 2012

Staff and Service Users at two Peterborough care homes are taking part in an Autism Olympics as part of World Autism Awareness Day.

Cardinals Gate in Werrington and Acacia House in Newborough are joining forces on April 2^nd for a series of sporting events at Ferry Meadows.

The day will involve various games including volley ball, badminton, tennis, cricket, football, Olympic darts, target shooting, and rounders – followed by a picnic in the park.

Meanwhile Acacia are also baking and selling cakes and biscuits as part of the day.

Run by Community Care Solutions, Cardinals Gate and Acacia House specialise in the provision of residential care for adults with Learning Disabilities, complex needs and autistic spectrum conditions.

World Autism Day was launched five years ago and sees Autism organisations across the globe celebrating the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Mark Constant, Managing Director of Community Care Solutions said: “World Autism Awareness Day provides a great platform for our Service Users and staff to raise awareness of Autism and how it affects their lives.

“At Community Care Solutions, our aim is to be a guiding hand for Service Users on the Autistic Spectrum in the achievement of their personal aspirations, to integrate more fully into the wider community and to lead ever-more satisfying and fulfilling lives.”

Staff and Service Users at a Rushden care home are wearing blue for the day and taking part in a range of activities as part of World Autism Awareness Day.

Aspen House and Lodge in Wellingborough Road are inviting people to come down to the house on April 2^nd where staff will be drawing a raffle and Service Users selling a selection of home made cakes and biscuits – as well as offering a car cleaning service.

All monies raised on the day will be donated to the National Autistic Society (NAS) who are the leading charity for people with Autism.

Run by Community Care Solutions, Aspen House and Lodge specialise in the provision of residential care for adults with Learning Disabilities, complex needs and autistic spectrum conditions.

World Autism Day was launched five years ago and sees autism organisations across the globe celebrating the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Mark Constant, Managing Director of Community Care Solutions said: “World Autism Awareness Day provides a great platform for our Service Users and staff to raise awareness of Autism and how it affects their lives.

“At Community Care Solutions, our aim is to be a guiding hand for Service Users on the Autistic Spectrum in the achievement of their personal aspirations, to integrate more fully into the wider community and to lead ever-more satisfying and fulfilling lives.”

To provide the best possible care for those with Autism, there are also four homes across Community Care Solutions , including Aspen, going through their NAS Autism Accreditation programme.

Registered Manager of Aspen, Zoë Allcock added: “Accreditation provides a unified standard of excellence and a systematic framework for continuous self-examination and development; it aims to continuously improve the quality of service provision for people with Autism and Aspergers syndrome.”

Regional care provider Care Solutions Group has appointed a new Director responsible for Service Development.

Peter Loose will join the Group, which is headquartered in St Neots, in April as the new member of the Board of Directors working to support and facilitate the development of the Group’s services primarily within Community Care and Social Care Solutions.

Peter is a highly qualified and experienced Senior Manager within social care holding a Bachelors Degree in Education specialising in Psychology and Learning Disability, he also holds a Diploma in Management Studies and further qualifications in Mental Health and Distress, and Community Care.

Until recently Peter was working for Bedford Borough Council where he held the positions of Assistant Director for Adult Social Care and was also the Strategic Projects Manager. His strategic management responsibilities included leading and developing arrangements for the assessment, delivery and performance management of allocated adult services throughout the council.

During his time with Bedford Borough Council Peter was an Assistant Director within the Directorate Management Team, leading the team to be judged by the Care Quality Commission inspectors to be “serving people well” with “excellent prospects”. All directly provided regulated services within Peter’s division achieved “good” ratings at inspection.

Peter said: “Having worked alongside the Care Solutions Group, I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the success of this growing high quality business.

“As a commissioner of services, I have seen Care Solutions establish an excellent reputation especially with families and the people who use its services and I look forward to building on those qualities and extending the services, values and opportunities to more people.

“I particularly like the group’s approach to promoting independence, ordinary lives and extra-ordinary opportunities for our residents whilst developing a workforce which is enthusiastic and values dignity, kindness, compassion and personal development.”

Regional care provider Care Solutions Group has appointed a new Quality Compliance and Safeguarding Manager.

Alison Ritchie joined the company, which has its headquarters in St Neots, in January following a successful 30 year career in the public sector in residential and commissioning social work and more recently as the safeguarding manager for Bedford Borough Council. Alison brings a wealth of both practical experience and technical knowledge to the Care Solutions Team.

She said: “I am determined in my beliefs that all people in our society have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and to be free from discrimination.  

“I am delighted to join the Care Solutions Team to work alongside service users, managers and staff to ensure that the services we deliver empower people and enable them to fulfil their aspirations and have a quality life.

“My role will also ensure that the services delivered continue to be compliant with and wherever possible exceed the essential standards for quality and safety”

Care Solutions Group operates three companies – Social Care Solutions and Community Care Solutions – specialising in the provision of domiciliary, supported living and residential care to adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism and Home Care Solutions, who provide domiciliary support to the elderly and people who need support at home. 

Managing Director Mark Constant said: “Care Solutions Group is committed to the delivery of the highest standards and has established robust leadership and operational arrangements providing the necessary foundations for achieving excellence and continual improvement across our services.  

“Alison’s experience and knowledge of working with vulnerable people and delivering quality services in this role, further strengthens our team and our driven focus in delivering quality outcomes for all service users.”