When our teams of social workers and other professional work with you, or the person you care for, there are a number of professional tools that we use. These include software, websites, apps, and simple pieces of paper that help us to help you.
We have prepared a list of the most important tools that we use, so that you can understand what they are, when they are mentioned. We will work to keep this list up to date. If we change how we work, will make a note here if we no longer use a certain tool – and tell you what the alternative is.
24/7 Grid - A support planning tool
24/7 Grid is a simple, visual way to design the support in a person’s daily life. You can build up a grid of all the different aspects of support. This can be from friends and family members, professionals, local community groups, and more.
This is displayed in a grid, and can be used simply as a planner, to make sure everyone knows where and when activities are happening.
It can also keep track of what they cost, and how they are paid for (for example Direct Payments, or Individual Service Fund).
It can also be used to help build independence, encouraging you to use less support for activities. This can be good for a person transitioning to living independently, or a person recovering skills after a period in hospital or after an injury.
24/7 Grid is a licensed piece of software that we have purchased. It is possible for people who self-fund their own care to purchase it for themselves. You can find out more on the 24/7 Grid website.
Carefree UK
Carefree UK is a charity that helps full time unpaid carers to take a break.
They work with hotels to donate vacant rooms for carers to take a short break, charging the carers just £33 per break. Breaks are for 1-2 nights, and can be with a companion, in a double or twin room, but not the person being cared for.
If you are an unpaid carer, you can register on the Carefree website for free.
There are eligibility criteria:
- you must be over 18
- you must provide care for over 30 hours per week
- you need to provide proof that you qualify
Eligible carers can take one break per year, of up to two nights. You can arrange this for yourself, independent of any support your cared-for person receives. Carefree is not responsible for arranging care for the person you look after.
Visit Care Free Space for more information
One Page Profiles
Many people regularly have our staff visit them at home, to provide care, or carry out assessments.
Some people told us that they found it unsettling that our staff know all about them when they visit, but the staff themselves are strangers. So we have asked all our staff who carry out home visits to create one-page profiles about themselves.
These include details such as:
- the music they like
- their pets
- why they enjoy doing the job they do
- a ‘fun fact’
We send these one-page profiles to people when we plan to visit them, so they know who will be coming, as well as what day and time. This helps make the member of staff less of a stranger, and can help reduce anxiety for the person being visited.
This is an example of a one-page profile, made by our Strategic Director of Care & Wellbeing.
See One-Page Profile of Ali Bulman
Just Checking monitoring device
Just Checking is part of the TEC suite of tools – Technology Enabled Care.
Visit our TEC page for more information
It is an activity monitoring system, which can help us to complete an objective assessment of a person, to see what kind of support they might need.
The system involves placing various sensors around the person’s home, to provide an overview of their daily activity. This could include how much they move around their house, where they go, and when.
This often means that we discover the person is more independent than we thought. We can then put in very specific support for the areas they are struggling with, and let them get on with the things that they can do well for themselves.
We generally use the Just Checking system for a couple of weeks prior to an assessment.
Just Checking also offers Just Roaming, for adults with learning disabilities and autism in supported homes. The system allows staff to check remotely, rather than visiting, or needing a sleep-in carer.
AndiHub
The Andi Hub is a digital home service designed to support by monitoring habits and alerting next of kin of any changes.
Part of our Technology Enabled Care (TEC) services, our unique Andi Hub monitors other devices around the home. It will notify carers of any negative changes, allowing for faster interventions and preventative care. We have a 24/7 response and maintenance team based in Cornwall that will install and monitor the Andi Hub in a user's home. They will fit any supporting devices, and tailor the alerts to the individual's needs.
Visit our Technology Enabled Care page for more information