Supporting Rachael’s transition into adult care
Rachael is building relationships, accessing her community and developing independence at Eastrop House.
Rachael* moved into foster care when she was 10 years old and entered the care system in 2005, having previously experienced neglect and physical abuse.
Rachael was diagnosed with a range of needs, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, attachment disorder, mild/moderate hearing loss and emotional and social difficulties
Taking the next steps into adulthood
As Rachael became eligible for support in an adult care setting, her care team at the time knew they needed to find the right environment where she could grow her independence.
After looking at the different adult care options available, Rachael, her parents and the local authority, agreed on Priory’s Eastrop House. This specialist residential service provides 24/7 support for adults with a range of needs, including people who are autistic, have a learning disability and/or associated mental health needs, who may also experience behaviours that may challenge.
Rachael specifically chose Eastrop House with the service being reasonably close to Oxford, where her family and friends lived. The service is also designed to provide more personal space and further develop Rachael’s independence skills. Eastrop House has an ideal location, situated within a five minute walk from the town centre, where Rachael can access the cinema, restaurants, shops and other activities.
The initial assessment was completed by the registered manager at Eastrop House and Rachael visited the service almost every day to get to know the environment, residents and staff team. She was also accompanied by her staff from the college. Once Rachael moved into Eastrop House, her support workers from the college were visiting twice a week for the first two weeks.
Initially Rachael was shy but supported by staff from the college, she began building a new relationship with one of the support workers from Eastrop House that was assigned to support Rachael that day. The staff also constantly provided reassurance and helped her unpack and arrange her bedroom.
Rachael's positive outcomes
Although Rachael has only been at Eastrop House for a short period of time, the progress has continued to be positive. Alongside building relationships with the staff team, Rachael has also got a peer friend and she will go to the town centre by herself or with her friend, who visits Rachael from Oxford on a weekly basis. Rachael will also ask for support when she needs it.
Rachael is planning on going back to college in September and after working closely with the staff team at Eastrop House, she even built up the confidence to meet up with her Grandad, who she hadn’t seen in 10 years.
*Name and images have been changed to maintain confidentiality