IDEA Services is going to make some changes to residential services over the next two years. This will mean increasing the range of options available and ensuring people are living in a place best suited to their individual needs. IDEA Services is doing this because we have been getting clear messages from many families, and from service users, regarding the need for change.
We know that many families are looking for something other than our five bed group homes for their family member. While IDEA Services has already developed a number of different living arrangements, we need to do more.
At this stage we can’t say what the changes for individual service users might be. Nothing will happen without full discussion with the person and their families/advocates.
Updates from Project Leader, Tracey Ramsay
2013
2012
Stories
- Enjoying greater independence in a flat: Krystal, Andrea, Mathew and Hayden show how they have been able to realise their dreams, by living and being supported in a different way.
- More flexible options for community living: Teryn had such a good experience flatting during a respite care break that she is keen to make the option a permanent one.
- Amy and her family love her more independent life: Amy has always wanted to be quite independent and found living with others [in a group home] at times restrictive and frustrating.
- David ‘down-sizes’ to a new way of living: David has ‘down-sized’ to a new way of living. He recently shifted out of his five-bedroom group home and into a flat with fiancé Karen.
Videos
Will people still get the support they need?
How are the decisions going to be made?
Video Stories
Jeremy and Justina – Married – Live independently with staff support – no sleepover staff
Fact sheets about living independently in the community
- Frequently Asked Questions – includes information about choosing who to live with, making decisions, how we support people who cannot communicate, affordability, transport, night time support, setting up a flat . . .
- Community Living Options – includes ideas about apartment complexes, groups of flats, supported living and group homes.
- Making Changes Decision Making – the steps people need to go through when considering a change to where they live.
- Independent Advocate Information Sheet – the role of the independent advocate is to provide advocacy and support to people without family involvement or to people who have no one to actively advocate on their behalf during a decision making process.
- Successful Ageing Project Update – IHC believes that people with intellectual disabilities should be able to age in place just as other people expect to. This means that IDEA Services will support people to stay living safely in their home, or within our services, for their lifetime.
- Vocational Services Update – a general overview of what is happening about day services.
- Needs Assessment Service Coordination Organisations (NASC) – how NASC organisations are involved with IDEA Services.
- Housing Options – renting, owning your own home, IHC’s involvement.
- Supported Decisionmaking at IHC – this process emphasises providing support so that a person can be more involved and in control of decisions that affect them.
Information sent to self advocates, families and IDEA Services staff 12 October 2012
Key contacts
Independent Advocate:
Annette Brown
Phone: 04 463 2405
Project Leader :
Tracey Ramsay
Phone: 03 341 9281
Health & Disability Commissioner
Phone: 0800 11 22 33
hdc@hdc.org.nz
