“I expect to have my own private space”
“I expect to be treated with respect”
“I expect to be asked what I want to do and not to be told”
“I expect help to do things for myself”
At Odyssey we understand that as part of ordinary living the individuals we support should be able to exercise their rights and entitlements as ordinary citizens in all matters affecting them.
In practical terms this means:
Having a Voice
The individual should have the opportunity to influence the way in which their homes are run and the way in which they receive a service, and how Odyssey is run. At Odyssey the people we support are encouraged to become involved in informal meetings within their homes and/or service. Odyssey has a fundamental commitment to the support role of the key worker as a key element of its involvement strategy. Odyssey has a Shadow Board comprised entirely of the people we support - The Shadow Board will meet regularly with the Board of Management and help with Odyssey's decision making.
Staff should ensure that where appropriate, individuals are on the electoral register. Where people are able to and demonstrate a desire to vote they should be given assistance to do so. This would include enabling people to understand the various manifestos which are put forward and also to be given assistance with transport and possibly arranging postal votes.
Having a Choice
As an absolute minimum, we aim to ensure that individuals are involved in decisions about their daily lives and other services which they receive from Odyssey.
Having Access
The people we support should have access to any records which are kept about them.
Staff should ensure that each individual we support has a fully explained complaints procedure and is actively encouraged to use it when appropriate. Staff must be open to receiving complaints and suggestions from them.
Staff must ensure that all communication and consultation with the people we supports is done in such a way as to accommodate any communication difficulties that they may have. Therefore, the appropriate use of symbols, signing and other mechanisms for communication will be adopted as required.
The contents of all agreements/brochures will be clearly communicated to the people we support when they start to receive a service, so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities of living in/using a service which is managed by Odyssey. (Each person we support will also be provided with a contract which includes that terms and conditions of access to that service).
Staff should support individuals in gaining full access to all the services which are available in the community. It is essential that all the people we support are treated fairly at all times.
Where it is appropriate or where an individual expressly desires it, individuals should have access to an independent advocate or representative and be encouraged to attend either city wide or borough wide advocacy services.
They can be encouraged to use the Consultation Groups such as “Challenges”, which meets on a regular basis throughout the year to examine a series of issues which are relevant to the support and services which the people we supports receive.These meetings are facilitated by the Head of Operations. They are attended by a core group of people we support who have a responsibility to feed back and receive information from a number of services within their area which represent the entire organisation. These meetings are recorded and the minutes are published in order that all those people we support with the organisation have access to them.
