Specialist support
The people we support may have mental ill-health, behaviours that challenge, or a history of offending, as well as a learning disability.
We feel these complex needs should not be a barrier to people leading the life they want, with the same rights and choices as everyone else.
We offer the same person-centred approach to everyone we support, matching people with staff who have expertise in supporting their extra health needs or behaviours that challenge.
Specific techniques are needed for some of the people we support. Our staff are trained to offer this support, which includes:
In providing this support, we draw on the advice of our in-house clinical team.
Our approach
We offer bespoke, specialist support for people with complex needs. This includes:
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Supporting people with behaviours that challenge – people can behave in a challenging way because they are frustrated and unable to communicate their needs and wishes to others. Once we start to understand this behaviour, we can tailor support to meet the individual’s needs and improve their quality of life. As a result, behaviours that challenge can reduce substantially, in both frequency and intensity.
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Supporting people with mental health problems, including those who self-harm.
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Supporting people who have been involved with the criminal justice system.
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Transition services – short-term accommodation placements that can provide stability for people in between long-term support solutions. This can include step-through accommodation, personal assessment and skills development.
Our specialist support division oversees our support for people with the most complex needs, including people (like Ruth) who have moved into their own homes as part of the Transforming Care programme. We can also provide support with housing.
Our in-house clinical team (a Clinical Psychologist, Positive Behaviour Support Lead and Autism Lead) provides expertise, advice and support to people we support and their staff teams.
This division enables us to further develop the skills of our support staff, so we can provide the best support to those who find it hardest to live in community settings, giving them the opportunity to have a great life and achieve their dreams.
Debbie Nutt, Director of Specialist Support Services
Debbie has worked with a range of people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, autism spectrum condition, acquired brain injury, challenging and other complex needs for over three decades.
She started her career as a learning disability nurse in an NHS long-stay hospital, before moving to Cornwall to manage and develop some of the first supported living services in the country.
Since then, Debbie has worked all over the UK in director-level positions, developing and operating services such as low-secure and locked rehabilitation hospitals, residential services, supported living and domiciliary support for people with very complex and challenging needs.
At Affinity Trust, Debbie focuses on the Transforming Care agenda, working with commissioners and local authorities to provide skilled and experienced community-based support services for people who are ready to begin a new chapter of their life in their own home in the local community, no matter how complex their needs may be.
Contact us
Find out how our specialist support services could help you or someone you know.
Email: infospecialistsupport@affinitytrust.org
Phone: 01844 267800
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Supporting people with housing
We can help people referred to us for support with housing. The housing options available will depend on where a person lives.
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