Norman’s Success at Norwich Road

Norwich Road is located within the historic town of Ipswich, Suffolk. This Consensus service provides accommodation and support for six individuals with learning disabilities, additional complex needs and/or physical disabilities in a supported living environment.  Accommodation is provided in six separate apartments, each with one bedroom, two of which are wheelchair accessible.

This supported living service offers individuals appropriate personalised support in order to gain control over their lives and greater access to opportunities for inclusion within their community. Direct support at home and in the community is offered along with access to our “Resource Centres” enabling a comprehensive and flexible support package aimed at helping individuals achieve their personal aspirations.

At Consensus, our philosophy is to support every individual to achieve Opportunity, Choice and Success.

Below is an example of how the work we do at Consensus enables individuals to achieve positive outcomes and personal fulfilment.

 Norman’s Story:
* names have been changed to protect privacy

Norman has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome which is a difficult-to-treat form of childhood epilepsy and is characterised by frequent and different seizure types. As is often the case, Norman’s disability is accompanied by developmental delay with psychological and behavioral problems.

Norman arrived at Norwich Road having become withdrawn and unhappy in his previous accommodation to which he was unsuited. Norman had suffered weight loss and muscle degradation as a result of his previous environment. Requiring full support, the team at Norwich Road were keen to support him to improve his independence and quality of life whilst supporting him to put on some weight and increase his muscle strength.

Although Norman is non-verbal he is able to point at things he wants and he can indicate when he is happy, sad or angry.

Staff worked with information from past plans and assessments at Norman’s previous placement and communicated with Norman and his family to develop a comprehensive support plan that was put in place. Over time, these plans have been modified and developed in order to give Norman the confidence and independence he so desires.

Staff carried out intensive interactive training with Norman to assist with his communication. Norman responded well to this interaction and this positively enhanced his relationship with the support team. In addition, Norman was encouraged to walk in his flat for short distances on a daily basis and to move around in his room. In order for Norman to be able to do this in a safe environment, the Service Manager organised for his room to be padded. Norman now appears to have become stronger and enjoys the freedom he has within his room. Importantly, Norman has also gained a little weight!

Feedback from both Norman’s parents and his Occupational Therapist confirm Norman’s personality has returned and he is now much happier within himself.

Norman will always need full support however he now has more independence and is able to make decisions. Consensus has given Norman his own space which allows him the freedom to be himself and to make the most of his environment.

To contact us for more information click here

Alternatively email enquiries@consensussupport.com or freephone 0808 166 1420 to find out more