Sample Placement1: Rehabilitation Buddy / Support

Background:
"L" received a severe head injury following a bicycle accident when 16. Now aged 18, he is currently residing in a specialist rehabilitation centre. "L" receives excellent care in the centre, but it is felt he needs additional 1-1 help on a more personal/emotional/social level. "L" can get very frustrated and the family feel he needs a buddy to enable him to partake in activities he previously enjoyed and to introduce new activities.

Solution:
SNAP visited "L" , his mother and case manager at the rehabilitation centre. The areas of focus were enhancing communication, social interaction, behaviour management and providing activities for enjoyment as well as aiding his physical rehabilitation. A male PA/Buddy in his early 20's was identified. They shared a passion for music and computers. He liaised with the staff at the centre to schedule activities around the various therapies (physiotherapy, speech therapy etc.) and a daily timetable was arranged. The PA worked with the speech therapist to develop a more sophisticated computerised communication system. The PA also used computers enabling "L" to write songs and create music. Having someone similar in age allowed "L" to be able to express certain emotions which he wasn't comfortable doing with his mother.


Sample Placement 2: Physical / Social Support Buddy

Background:
"T" is 19 and has cerebral palsy and requires all help physically, including personal care, he uses a wheelchair, hoists and drives an adapted vehicle. He is verbal, but his speech is difficult at times to understand. He attends a local college on a part-time basis where he is studying 'A' levels and lives at home with his parents.

Solution:
SNAP visited "T" and his mother initially at their home and then accompanied them to the college. In discussion with "T" and his tutor, it was agreed that while "T" required some assistance to be able to access all the college activities, it was important that the buddy also knew when to also step back. A male buddy of a similar age was identified who accompanied "T" to college and then together they planned the rest of his week to include other activities which encompassed daily living skills, (such as trips to the local shop and cooking), activities were physio-based and social outings.

Sample Placement 3: Support Team, Autism

Background:
"J" is 19 and has autism and at times challenging behaviour. She lives with her family who wish to set her up in her own home with support, which she is also keen to do. Since she has now left the education system, the family are keen for "J" to establish a new routine which includes purposeful activities that enable her to continue learning. They have purchased a flat near to the family home.

Solution: SNAP visited "J" and her family and also viewed the new flat. It was determined that initially the first support worker would start working with "J" at the family home to establish a relationship and then move to the new flat with additional team members. "J" needs someone with her 24 hours a day, so two further people are identified to cover on-call nights and weekends. The team have regular meetings to ensure a consistency of behaviour management. They organise a new routine for "J" which includes activities to strengthen self-help and communication skills.


Sample Placement 4: Housekeeper/nanny for mother with ABI

Background:
"P" is a woman in her early 30's who sustained an Acquired Brain Injury when 2 months pregnant. She recovered relatively well, but has periods of extreme fatigue, is prone to epileptic seizures and can be forgetful at times. "After a period of rehabilitation / hospitalisation, "P" is back home with her husband and two other children aged 4 and 7.

Solution:
"P" and her husband and case manager were met at the family home. "P" was very concerned that someone was going to 'take over' her role as a new mother. She was assured that the nanny/housekeeper was going to enable her to carry out her role as a mother, whilst ensuring she did not become over-fatigued and the baby and other children were safely looked after. An experienced nanny/housekeeper was recruited who looked after the new baby completely when "L" was unable to do so, and at other times helped to create a relaxed environment for her to enjoy her new baby. The nanny/housekeeper took main responsibility for household tasks such as shopping, cooking and ironing, until "L" felt she was able to do some of these tasks herself. The nanny/housekeeper was initially employed for a 6 month period which was extended to a permanent contract as sadly "L's" seizures became very frequent and it was unsafe for her to be alone with the children

Sample Placement 5: Scribe/Enabler

Background:
"S" is a very bright young woman due to sit 'A' levels in a years time. She has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair dependent. She is fed via a gastrostomy. She has speech but this is difficult to understand initially. The family are looking for a scribe/enabler to assist their daughter who attends a mainstream college.

Solution:
A full-time enabler/ scribe was recruited to support "S" as and when needed at college. She was not required for some lessons but remained at the school so she could be called on if needed at any time. The enabler / scribe liaised with the tutors so she was able to prepare "S" with her studies. Out of college hours, the enabler accompanied "S" either home and assisted with coursework, or enabled her to socialise with friends. During the social times, the enabler very much took a back seat - for example if the went to a coffee shop, she would purchase the drinks and then sit at a nearby table, near enough to help if needed, but far away enough to allow her privacy with her friends.