The Aims of Dignity are....
- To provide support and opportunities for people with learning disabilities to lead, as far as possible, ordinary and fulfilling lives in accordance with the philosophy, themes and principles of Social Role Valorization (as defined by Dr W Wolfensburger).
- To provide services which enhance an individual’s ability to make real and informed choices and will ensure that the person receiving the service is as fully involved in the process of planning and designing the service offered to them as is practicably possible.
The Philosophy of Dignity...
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To work alongside people with learning difficulties and facilitate them towards achieving a more ordinary lifestyle, to have more ordinary experiences and help them to achieve ordinary opportunities.
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We recognise the need to continue developing and changing in response to people’s needs and changing philosophies of care provision. Underlying this philosophy of change, however, is the need to provide a stable, homely environment where people can not only develop to the best of their individual abilities but also to feel relaxed and comfortable, enjoying their home.
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The priorities which Dignity adopts in order to promote and safeguard the interests and well-being of the residents form the basis of a Code of Practice.
Dignity's Code of Practice...
We believe that
there are five principles which form the basis for good practice, which
we work towards:
Caring
People using our service should feel valued,
safe and secure. A caring relationship is an individual one and the
needs of each individual should be respected and supported.
Enabling Choice
People using our service have a
right to exercise choice in daily life and this should be respected.
People using our service should be given as much choice in all aspects
of their daily life as possible. The constraints imposed by group living
may mean that individual choices cannot always be exercised, but no
choice should ever be dismissed simply because it is inconvenient. Staff
should consistently try to extend the range of choices open to the
people using our service by introducing new options. Staff should never
impose their own cultural or moral values on choices made by people
using our service. If they have difficulty in supporting certain
activities because of their particular beliefs they would be supervised
through it by their line manager.
Continuity
Both in consistency of care and
maintenance of links from the past for people using our service. People
using our service have the right to expect continuity of behaviour and
support from staff. No agreed programme or activity should ever be
changed or deviated from without the consent of all significant people.
People using our service should be encouraged to maintain contact with
family, friends and their former contacts unless agreed by all
significant people that this would be damaging.
Capacity for Change
Awareness of the continuing
development of people using our service and the responsiveness of staff
to changing needs. Staff should be responsive and adaptable to changes
taking place in the lives of people using our service. People using our
service should be allowed to take risks so that they may gain new
experiences as part of their development; any risk which may involve any
aspect of danger should be discussed with all significant people in
order to minimise any perceived difficulties.
Common Philosophy
Practice should be based on shared
philosophies and values. Staff should support any new practice or
philosophy which is agreed by the team and significant people. Staff are
aware that personal values can conflict with the needs and life styles
of the people using our service therefore all staff need to adhere to
this Code of Practice.