Outcome of the Year Finalist 2024

Richardson Care, a provider of specialist residential rehab services, was delighted to reach the final of the NR Times Rehab Outcome of the Year Award 2024. 

The award recognises patients and service users who have secured life-changing progress through the work of either an individual practitioner or organisation, and/or that of an MDT, enabling them to look to an infinitely more positive future. Through an effective combination of teamwork and neuro-rehab, the finalists have demonstrated that people with life-changing injuries continue to surpass expectations in what can be achieved. 

Laura Richardson-Cheater, Director, said: “We’re really excited to be recognised at these awards, especially for one celebrating rehab outcomes. Brain injury rehab is extremely complex and requires the right combination of therapeutic input, care, environment and community, as well as a consistent approach over time to achieve outcomes that surpass expectations.”

“Although Richardson Care was recognised for the rehab outcome of a specific service user, this is indicative of how we aim to enable all of the people in our care to achieve their goals. Focusing on the individual and supporting them to make incremental changes can make a big difference over time,” adds Laura.

The award entry relates to a service user known as J, who is certainly looking at a much more positive future thanks to the work of the whole team at Richardson Care. After seven years at The Richardson Mews, J has achieved some of her key rehabilitation goals and has now moved on to supported living in a location closer to her family. 

Background

This outcome may have seemed impossible when J arrived at Richardson Care as a young adult due to her challenging history and her diagnoses. J had sustained a severe head injury as a small child, which affected all areas of the brain and resulted in complex emotional and behavioural difficulties.

J had a diagnosis of organic personality disorder and a history of anxiety and ADHD. She also had a history of absconding from placements and engaging in aggressive, risk or sexually-inappropriate behaviours. In addition, she had previously been admitted to secure care under the Mental Health Act and there were concerns regarding illicit drug use, financial vulnerability and vulnerability to exploitation by others.

Therapeutic interventions

Following an in-depth review, the MDT at Richardson Care offered J a multi-dimensional psychological approach to support her to achieve her rehabilitation goals and increase her independence.

The psychology team, alongside our specialist Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, worked closely with J, focusing on her daily clinical presentation and mental state. As a result of a clinical formulation, it became apparent that J was experiencing active symptoms of psychosis (delusions and beliefs), which acted as a barrier to meaningful engagement in therapy.  

Cognitive assessments confirmed that J’s active psychosis symptoms were exacerbated by cognitive impairments, such as her reduced comprehension and attention. She was prescribed anti-psychotic medication, which was monitored on a frequent basis. 

J refused to engage in group psychology sessions, but sought ad-hoc support, often daily, from the Assistant Psychologists. She viewed these more as informal conversations, rather than planned sessions, but found them very beneficial. They provided emotional support and enabled her to better manage her behaviours.

Achievements

Due to the help and support of the MDT and the care team at Richardson Care, J gradually learnt how to manage her behaviours. She also learnt to remove herself from situations that had the potential to trigger aggressive responses.

Gradually J was trusted to go out on her own without absconding and she enjoyed that trust. She also had a paid role within the home, which involved collecting parcels, meeting contractors and giving them directions, checking visitors’ ID, checking in deliveries, etc. She would also run errands or go shopping for the Admissions team who are based at the home.

The Richardson Mews is located in the area of Kingsthorpe in Northampton. This access to the local community of shops, cafes and other services was ideal for J as she could gradually increase the range of her trips away from the home: first Kingsthorpe, then further afield to other areas of Northampton.

One of J’s most significant recent achievements was taking her first foreign holiday, supported by a single member of staff.

She managed the stresses of flight delays and a crowded airport very well and enjoyed a wonderful holiday. It included a packed itinerary of historical sites (history is one of J’s great interests) and new experiences, as well as the challenges of finding her way around and understanding foreign currency. It was one of her key rehabilitation goals and an important step to her move to supported living.

“J is a credit to herself and an example of what can be achieved with patience and team work,” said Greg Richardson-Cheater, Director. “We are delighted that we have been able to support her to move on in her life. After such a difficult start, she’s still quite young and has the opportunity to live a happy and fulfilling life. We wish her all the best.”

In esteemed company

Greg added: “To make the top three in NR Times’ Rehab Outcome Award 2024 is a great achievement. Congratulations to The Children’s Trust who won the award and to fellow-finalist the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network. Both organisations have excellent reputations in the rehab field and we’re proud to be alongside them. Congratulations to the whole team at Richardson Care for this achievement.”