Priory Wiggington Cottage

We support our residents to attend family events and visit home. We will work with the resident and their relatives to ensure possible risks are managed and that everyone is supported based on family need and preferences. Home leaves often mean we drop home or pick up our residents, and we will work to risk management plans to support positive contact.

Family and friends are welcome to visit and participate in activities. We do ask that we are informed in advance of all visits as some residents may become stressed or anxious when unknown visitors arrive. Unfortunately, we cannot cater for visitors to stay overnight.

Yes, we provide updates and communications as and when is required, for example, after medical appointments or to share positive stories. This is often arranged by the key worker or the senior support worker on duty, so you get an accurate handover and an update on things have happened, by those who were present.

Everyone who stays with us are supported to call their loved ones. Some people may be able to have a mobile phone, but will be based on residents’ specific needs and safety.

Items can be added or removed based on residents’ preferences, often items can be damaged or broken and we support family’s to replace with the safest alternatives as and when could be required, based on residents’ needs and risk management plans.

Yes, our external doors are kept locked, for the security of the people who live here. We have a secure garden area and smaller sitting area where residents can freely exit and enter the back of the building. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs) may be in place, as well as contracts to agree on some blanket restrictions which keep everyone safe.

Residents are supported to choose what they want to eat, and, where possible, prepare what they want to eat. This area is fully supported and staffed to prevent unnecessary risk to any individuals. Some people cannot access the kitchen area due to known risk and anxieties; in this case, staff will take a leading role in the food preparation process.

We generally work to a calorie-controlled four week rolling menu, including meals and snacks, which offers choice whilst promoting healthy diets. We work closely with healthcare professionals and the PWS Association to ensure diets are well-managed and meet people’s needs. Diets will also be tailored to individual requirements, taking into account special dietary needs, a person’s weight, and other factors.

Our team will ensure that residents always have access to clean clothes and bedding. We have a utility room with laundry facilities, which residents can use either independently or with the support of their allocated support worker. We promote independence in all areas of daily living tasks, and are led by residents different support needs.

Most of our residents undertake domiciliary tasks such as cleaning, and there is a rota in place to assign tasks. Our care team support the residents with these tasks, we promote independence as much as is possible and staff support to ensure all tasks are met to a high standard. Communal areas and house washing is done at night, during the day resident share tasks supported by their key worker to ensure tasks are carried out to a high standard, and task allocation is also discussed in our monthly resident meetings.

We store and manage all food and drink on site, this is in line with best practice when supporting people who have PWS. Food storage areas are kept locked to reduce the risks to our residents. Residents have a key to their bedrooms to keep personal items secure and safe, supported by staff. Staff carry a master key, and where is necessary will access rooms based on safety assessments.

Every resident has a tailored activities planner, which will include both in-house activities as well as visits into the community. Their key worker may use a variety of communication tools to ensure the resident can have an input into the planning of activities. Residents make ‘wish lists’ that we work to; trips, holidays, and days out are planned with each resident’s preference at the forefront. Residents save money with family throughout the year to manage at least one holiday and day trips week-to-week.

Residents who have a history of behaviours that challenge may be provided with PBS, this is an internal element of support Priory can tailor to the individuals’ needs and is costed separate from care and support hours. We have close links to the local IST, psychology and psychiatry support in Staffordshire, referrals are made as and when is needed to ensure a joined-up approach. We use the PROACT-SCIPr-UK® framework, which means we focus on least restrictive practice, ensuring this is embedded in everything we do.

Yes, we work with social workers, family members and residents to develop care plans which are in the best interests of our residents. We use a variety of communication tools, if needed, and work with health professionals to aid each resident in having a say about every aspect of their care. Care plans are regularly reviewed, and family members will be asked for their input, where appropriate.

We don’t have many car parking spaces at the home, but there are spaces on the road outside.

We have a designated area outside for residents to smoke or to vape.

Our fees can vary, and are based on an assessment of each individual's needs. Many people are eligible for financial help towards the cost of support, and this funding can be accessed by contacting your local authority. Once funding has been agreed, we will work with your local care team to put together a bespoke package of care. Please note, referrals for NHS or Local Authority funded services must come from a referring organisation.