ESCORTED VISITS, TRIPS AND HOLIDAYS
ALAS HEALTHCARE
Scope
Policy Statement
The Policy
Our Approach
Related Policies
Related Guidance
Training Statement
Policy Statement
Historically, adults and older people with care needs have faced poor life chances, largely due to social exclusion. This has been a major factor in causing many people to live a life of limited opportunity. It can contribute to a restricted sense of life possibly leading to boredom, frustration and mental illness.
Social inclusion in practical terms means working within the community to tackle and avoid circumstances and problems that lead to social exclusion. It is the equal availability of opportunities to participate in activities in society that are often taken for granted by the able-bodied.
Escorted visits, trips and holidays extend social inclusion into the wider community and society as a whole. All enhance wellbeing.
No individual can be coerced into engaging with the wider society, but often it is the obstacles they have to overcome e.g., transport, access, availability of escort that are the reasons for exclusion, not their willingness to participate.
For these reasons, it is important that links to friendships, familial relationships, community-based groups and the wider opportunities in society are promoted, maintained and pro-actively managed. This will support the regular availability of excursions that will enhance the lives of people in our care.
The Policy
This organisation promotes the possibility for each individual to participate fully in escorted visits, trips and holidays as part of the support and development of their health and well-being and for pleasure, leisure and adventure as appropriate to the individual’s preferences and interests.
Our Approach
A full and comprehensive holistic assessment of needs and interests is essential to identify what contributes to the individual’s social and emotional wellbeing and how these can be fulfilled. As trust builds consideration and then participation in visits, trips and holidays can become a regular part of the individual’s experience, at the pace chosen by the individual.
All possible visits, trips and holidays will be publicised and made available. Participation will be confirmed once appropriateness has been explored with each individual and their family/carers. As poverty is one of the biggest contributors to social exclusion, we will explore all possible funding streams for individuals and groups to contribute to promoting the highest level of participation based on choice, not finances.
When exploring and developing the offers to be made to individuals and groups of people with care needs and physical disabilities we will consider both designing and delivering our own visits, trips and holidays and the opportunities on offer from local, national and international companies. [DELETE AS APPROPRIATE]
As preferences are established every aspect of the escorted visit, trip or holiday will be clearly identified for each individual; recorded to ensure that every detail of the support plan is considered and applied in the planning and delivery of every event. This will safeguard that every individual so they can participate to their full capacity.
Once an escorted visit, trip or holiday is agreed risk assessments will be completed for each individual for each excursion. We will use a standard format to record these risk assessments so there is clarity for all involved. This will ensure that all aspects of an individual’s needs are recognised while fully considering their safety.
Regular reviews of the support plan will include considering the variety and frequency of escorted visits, trips and holidays. This will ensure that individuals have regular opportunities to express their choices and are being supported to increase their social inclusion appropriate to their needs and wishes.
Respecting an individual’s right to choose to not be included is also important, however, it will be accepted that anyone can change their mind. The context will always be considered, for example, it might be natural to withdraw from activities or decline the chance for a visit at times when health challenges are particularly difficult.
Vehicle Usage
If staff use their own or the service user’s vehicle for escorted trips, then the vehicle must:
Be in a good state of repair.
Be suitable for the service user in terms of access and comfort.
Have a valid MOT Certificate.
The interior should be clean and tidy.
Also:
There must be written permission given by the Service User to use their private vehicle.
The necessary insurance needs to be in place including business use.
The member of staff is liable for any costs incurred due to motoring offences or parking tickets whilst carrying out escorted trips.
Related Policies
Adult Safeguarding
Assessment of Needs and Eligibility
Autonomy and Independence
Meeting Needs
Mental Capacity Act
Person-Centred Care and Support Planning
Social Inclusion
Related Guidance
Accessible Britain
https://www.motability.co.uk/rough_guide_to_accessible_britain.pdf
Involvement and Inclusion promoting dignity in care
https://www.scie.org.uk/dignity/care/involvement
Dementia: developing community links
https://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/living-with-dementia/keeping-active/community-links.asp
Training Statement
All members of staff will be supported to develop their ability to include escorted visits, trips and holidays into their awareness of appropriate person-centred support at induction and through continuous professional development.
All staff involved in escorted visits, trips and holidays will be trained in identifying and delivering support according to specifically produced risk assessments for exceptional circumstances.
Date Reviewed: October 2022
Person responsible for updating this policy:
Next Review Date: October 2023
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