The benefits of choosing a smaller independent brain injury service

The benefits of choosing a smaller service over a larger or national provider were highlighted in a recent article by Breakthrough Complex Care case management.

These points are equally applicable when choosing a residential brain injury rehab service.

Here we demonstrate how they apply to Richardson Care – an independent family business in Northampton with three specialist services for people with acquired brain injury and three for people with learning disabilities.

They also support people with complex mental health, physical and emotional needs.

1. Flexibility and responsiveness

Richardson Care has a small senior management team and a flat management structure, which means that decisions can be made quickly. This is essential due to the nature and complexity of brain injuries and other neurological conditions as daily life can be unpredictable. 

The senior management team comprises owners and Directors - Laura and Greg Richardson-Cheater, Head of Care - Silvia Silva, and Clinical Head, Dr Pedro Grilo. Greg Richardson-Cheater says: "We are a cohesive team and work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our service users.

"We have a culture of open and clear communication, so we also trust each other to make decisions as required.

"This means that therapeutic interventions, negotiations about funding or accommodation needs, for example, call all be managed swiftly.

"Not only does this improve the well-being of service users on a daily basis, but it also helps to avoid crisis situations, which can result in a several backward steps on an individual’s rehabilitation journey.”

2. Person-centred approach to care

 Each person’s therapeutic and emotional needs are unique, as are their personalities, life experiences and interests. A smaller provider (crucially, with the right focus) can offer a care plan that is better tailored to the individual as there is more flexibility to find the right solutions to meet their needs.

This applies both to the longer-and shorter-term goals of the individual.

Greg adds: “For example, we have enabled a man to go flying in a light aircraft with his former colleagues as he had a pilots’ licence prior to his brain injury, and a young man volunteers as a gardener as he loves the outdoors and previously worked in the construction industry.

“The care staff and therapy team get to know service users on a personal level, which helps them to build meaningful therapeutic relationships.

"Playing someone’s favourite music during a physio session, or having a chat about their favourite football team, can really help an individual to engage in their therapy. This leads to much better outcomes and helps them to achieve their goals.” 

3. Proactive support

Richardson Care has a high-calibre team of clinical specialists that is accessible to all service users. And with a total of 78 service users across all the homes, this means that there is a high ratio of therapists to the individuals they support.

The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) of therapists is led by Clinical Head and Consultant Neuro-Psychologist Dr Pedro Grilo. It comprises four assistant psychologists, a neuro occupational therapist, a neuro speech and language therapist, a neuro physiotherapist and a consultant neuro psychiatrist.

The MDT develops a care plan for each individual, delivers therapy, and helps the managers and staff to provide consistent support to service users, reinforcing the therapeutic input. This enables individuals to gradually increase their cognitive and physical skills, manage their emotions and behaviours and to improve their communication and general well-being.

The MDT meets every week to discuss service users’ needs in depth. This involves reviewing care plans and addressing any issues that have arisen, as well as looking for additional opportunities to help individuals achieve their goals.

“This combination of expert and experienced professionals working together enables us to think outside the box, be proactive and help to avoid crisis situations – all leading to better outcomes,” continues Greg.

4. Direct access to senior management

The families of service users have direct access to the senior management team at Richardson Care, particularly Silvia Silva, Head of Care.

She gets to know all of the service users, and families can contact her knowing that she is in a position of authority as well as the safeguarding lead for the organisation. 

Silvia Silva says: “I really enjoy the contact that I have with the people that we support. Previously, I worked as an Area Manager for a national care organisation.

"Now that I’m part of a smaller independent company, I have more contact with the service users, their families and the care staff, which makes a difference. I can see the value of the work I do on a day-to-day basis.”

In addition, Richardson Care’s Registered Managers are directly involved in the homes’ day to day management. They build relationships with service users and their families, which means they have a clear understanding of each individual’s needs and can make decisions about their care.

Therefore any issues can be addressed and resolved quickly, and opportunities taken for positive change.

5. Long-term security

As well as being a smaller company, Richardson Care is family-owned and run. Established in 1989, it is now run by the second generation of the family, and this provides additional benefits. 

Not only are the owners and Directors, Laura and Greg Richardson-Cheater involved in running the organisation, and can be contacted by the families, they also offer long-term security. 

Laura says: “This is much more than a business to us as we are dealing with people’s lives. We take our responsibilities very seriously and can’t just walk away.

"We offer a home for life for some of our service users, and a couple of the guys have been with us for more than 35 years. We manage the business so that we not only deliver the best care we can, but it’s also sustainable over the longer term.

"This security is hugely important to some of the family members as they want their loved ones to be well cared for when they are no longer around.”

In addition, staff retention is high, so members of the care team build therapeutic relationships with the service users, providing stability and a better understanding of individuals’ needs. This enables the staff to better support the individuals and empower them to live their best lives.

For more information go to www.richardsoncares.co.uk, and to arrange a visit, contact the admissions & referrals team on 01604 435781 or email admissions@richardsoncares.co.uk