Melton House Resource Centre (MHRC) is one of two Day Services provided by Sense in the north of England. Based in Rotherham, it provides services for people who are deafblind or who have a sensory impairment with additional disabilities. Potential service users are usually referred by Social Services or related agencies, who arrange an initial assessment to be carried out by Sense staff. The service offered will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual and could be either a placement within the Resource Centre, the Outreach Service, Intervenor service, or a combination.
Melton House is situated close to the town centre, and although it is predominantly accessed Monday to Friday, the Intervenor services provide a more flexible service supporting people during evenings and weekends. Access to Rebound Therapy and the Sensory Rooms can be arranged on a sessional basis.
A Person Centred Approach to the provision of the service ensures that each person is involved in defining and building an individual service that meets the person’s individual needs and wants. Whilst staff, other professionals, family and carers also have input, the emphasis is on supporting the person to make choices about their life. All service users have a Person Centred Plan that is regularly reviewed. Individuals’ communication methods vary, and so a ‘Total Communication’ approach is assumed. Methods used include intensive interaction, Objects of Reference, BSL, SSE, Block as well as many pre-language strategies for communication.
A Lifestyle Approach to the provision of activities and the access to committed and trained staff allows and encourages service users to attain their aspirations by making full use of their communicative abilities, thereby promoting a way of life which makes sense to them. This often involves Planned Learning. Some activities are carried out in the community, for example voluntary work, swimming, using the local gym, shopping, going out for meals and visiting places of interest, accessing the Deaf Club – all dependent on the needs and desires of the service users taking part. Opportunities provided in the Resource Centre include: Daily Living Skills, Arts and Crafts, Woodworking, Rebound Therapy, Sensory Room with Vibro Bed, Heated Water Bed and Ballpool, Massage, Computers and Sound Beam.
A Specialist Approach recognises that people with deafblindness, sensory impairment and associated disabilities have different ways of accessing information. This requires skilled interaction on the part of staff, and demands that they are trained and knowledgeable. The environment within Melton House Resource Centre provides tactile, visual and audible information as well as assistive equipment. This allows service users to be as independent as possible making use of specialist resources and specialist settings.
Staff development
Sense staff receive specialist training in Deafblindness and Communication, in addition to training in British Sign Language, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Challenging Behaviour, Sensory Integration, Rebound Therapy, Safeguarding Adults, NVQs in Health and Social Care as well as statutory training.
Consultancy service
Sense is available to perform assessments under the Deafblind Guidance, Functional Vision and Hearing Assessments, as well as Communication Assessments. Sense staff are able to offer training, support and advice for any staff and families of people who have a sensory impairment with additional disabilities.
Contact
Tel: 01709 821132
Fax: 01709 371448
Email: Anne.Telling@sense.org.uk
