Outreach Service

Aims of the Service

The Outreach service provides care and support to people living in their own homes or sharing with others to enable them to realise their potential. The service aims to assist adults with learning disabilities, living in the community, to enjoy a high quality of life by providing support and care in whatever areas needed.

It is based on the following principles:

People with learning disabilities are individuals and their particular needs and wishes should determine the care and support they receive.
Irrespective of their level of disability, people have a right to be treated with respect and to be supported in ways that maintain their dignity.
people have a right to make decisions and exercise control over their own lives within the limits of their understanding and abilities.

What facilities and services are available

The service is registered with the Care Commission to provide care at home and housing support. The Outreach team is based at the Station Avenue in Duns. It consists of trained workers who provide support and assistance, on an individually arranged basis, to people with learning disabilities living in the community.

Help can be provided in many areas of daily life, including dealing with benefits and managing money, domestic tasks, social and leisure activities and some personal care.

The service is flexible and can be arranged to meet a range of needs and circumstances. Long-term support can be provided, for example by arranging daily visits to help someone living alone with various everyday living tasks, or perhaps a weekly visit to deal with money management. Support can also be provided occasionally for short periods. For example, to allow regular carers to have a break for a few hours or a few days.

Support plans are drawn up with the person who will receive the service to meet his or her individual needs and wishes. These plans detail the kind of care and support and the times that it will be provided. Plans are regularly reviewed and amended to meet changing requirements. The service uses a range of means to help with communication such as pictures and symbols as appropriate.

Who can apply?

The service is specifically for adults with learning disabilities who live on their own or with relatives or friends in the Duns area.

Applications are often made by a Social Worker following a Community Care Assessment, but individuals can apply directly.

How much is it likely to cost?

The cost will depend on the extent of the service required and would be determined following detailed specification of the service.

The service may be paid for from individual benefits, private means or local authority budgets depending on individual circumstances.

If the service is arranged to meet assessed community care or housing support needs, the costs may be met in part or in full by Scottish Borders Council. A Social Worker would need to carry out a financial assessment to determine the charge (if any) to the person using the service.

In all cases the charge would be agreed before the service started.

There is also a Supported Living development in Duns, providing long term housing with care and support for adults with learning disabilities.