tracscare - Latest News
Latest Newsletter (Issue 6)
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April 2008
Letter received by
Mr Neil Jeremiah
Home Manager
Ty Gobaith
Dear Neil
Re: Transfer of Patients
I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend both you and your staff on the professional and sensitive manner in which our 4 transfers were managed. Your recognition of the difficulties such a move could provoke for these individuals no doubt went a long way in making their transition a lot easier and less traumatic.
I would be grateful if you could pass on our heartfelt thanks onto your staff and commend them on their perseverance in engaging with these clients prior to transfer. It was observed that each attendance to the unit was always undertaken with enthusiasm and empathy.
It has further pleased me to be informed by (the care manager) of the progress these individuals have made since their transfer. This had once again reinforced my faith in the service provided by the private sector.
Very well done to all of you I will have no hesitation in recommending your service to other purchasers and would certainly continue to use your service for any of our other patients that would meet your criteria.
Ward Manager
Acute Mental Health Services
March 2008
New home open for tracscare New start in life for 6 happy adults
Care company tracscare has opened a new home in near Tonypandy in the South Wales Valleys. The home is the latest in a stream of new home openings which brings the overall bed capacity of the care company to 300.
Ty Gobaith has been completely refurbished to provide six en-suite bedrooms for clients with mental health needs. Eric Millard, chief executive of Tracscare said, “We are delighted to open this home as it is the first in the Rhondda Valley. The home, formerly a colliery pub, has been completely refurbished to a high standard. Currently the local provision in residential care homes for vulnerable adults is not meeting demand and we hope that the opening of Ty Gobaith will provide a secure and stable home for clients in their local community”.
The six clients all moved in to their new home in early March and will be supported by a full team of carers. Neil Jeremiah, said, “The response from the local community has been so positive. We are looking forward to organising lots of activities for the clients and engaging in the local community”.
January 2008
New Tracks at tracscare
There have been a number of new senior appointments across the tracscare family.
Steve Conway joins to become Managing Director of Parallel Options, which provides Domiciliary Care & Supported Living in Gloucester. Steve will also become a Director of the new tracscare Group.
Chris Perks has been appointed Regional Director for tracscare England and is in overall charge of the management and development of the homes across the Midlands, Suffolk, and along the M5 Corridor.
In addition to the appointment of a Regional Director for tracscare England, the Welsh Division of tracscare has promoted Nick Rabbaiotti to Area Director to work alongside the existing Area Director Niki Blackburn reporting to the Regional Director, Karen Parker.
Roy Chapanduka, formerly a manager at one of tracscare’s Northampton homes has been appointed Business Development Manager (BDM). He has been joined by Janie Whitfield as the other BDM, who was an external appointment.
Jo Dougall was recently appointed Operational Manager for Alkare. Jo has worked for Alkare for the past seven and a half years working her way up from a Support Worker to Registered Manager before taking up this new post.
Steve Jones joined Positive Lifestyles as Training Manager, on the day that the company was sold and joined the tracscare family.
November 2007
TWO NEW HOMES FOR TRACSCARE
Tracscare adds two new homes to the group bringing its total number of beds in the group up to 350.
Woodlands in Birmingham, which has just opened, is registered for six mental health clients.
College Fields in Cardiff, which opens later this month, will provide a further six mental health beds and is set to hold an open day for health and social care workers and members of the local community on November 20th.
Both homes have been completely refitted and refurbished to provide all bedrooms with full en-suite facilities and ample communal space.
Situated in residential areas on the outskirts of Cardiff and Birmingham, the homes are ideally situated to make the most of the facilities afforded by these major cities.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive of tracscare said, “Woodlands and College Fields are the latest in a series of new homes we are opening across the group. They have been designed to the highest standard to balance excellent amenities with an ideal caring environment.”
September 2007
Holiday celebration for tracscare client
tracscare client Michael Ralphs has enjoyed a celebratory holiday in Blackpool thanks to his achievements in rehabilitation.
Michael, who has an acquired brain injury, set himself the huge goal of liberating himself from his wheelchair, with a trip to Blackpool as his motivation.
The client who lives at tracscare’s, Oakhill in Swansea had been using a wheelchair before he came to the home. But after an intensive nine-month effort he is now able to walk unaided and only uses a stick for longer distances.
Senior Support Worker Clare Page who accompanied Michael and his wife Maureen on the holiday said, “Michael was adamant that he wanted to visit Blackpool and it proved to be just the goal he needed.
“We worked with him, supporting him through an extensive physiotherapy programme at the local hospital and now at home. Despite it being very difficult, Michael refused to give up and since he started walking again he hasn’t looked back.”
Home manager Becci Turner said, “We are all so pleased for Michael and the trip to Blackpool was just the icing on the cake. He has rehabilitated so well that he is able to visit his wife at their home two days a week and this includes an overnight stay.
“This is one of those examples where a variety of people have worked together to help a client achieve his goal and we are all very proud of his success.
Award nominations galore
Sue Hullin has been nominated for the management achievement award in Swansea Bay’s ‘Woman of the Year Competition’.
The finalists’ achievements will be celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony in November at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive of tracscare said, “Sue deserves to be nominated for this award due to her outstanding commitment to ensuring that vulnerable adults under her care have the best chance of living a normal lifestyle.
“Sue’s passion shows through every day as she works hard to give every client the opportunity to enjoy choice, freedom and independence. This caring part of Sue’s nature is underlined by a clear and succinct management approach which ensures she is well respected and also well liked by all who work with her. No mean feat in a senior management role.
Steph McCann has been nominated for the ‘innovator award’ for her work developing the Accident Root Cause Analysis tool.
Caroline Evans from Gwynfryn and Martin Webber from Cedar House have both reached the finals of the Welsh Care Awards. Caroline is a finalist for the Care Practitioner Award and Martin is a finalist for the Care Newcomer Award
Karen Parker, Regional Director for tracscare Wales said “Both Caroline and Martin have made an impact in the company to the benefit of clients and deserve to be finalists”
Eric Millard added” We wish all four the very best of luck in these awards.”
Off to Blackpool
There are celebrations at ‘Oakhill’ in Swansea for tracscare resident Michael Ralphs. Michael, who has an acquired brain injury, set himself a huge goal last year of liberating himself from his wheelchair within the year.
Courageous Michael has worked tirelessly throughout the year and is celebrating achieving his goal with a two night trip to Blackpool with his wife Maureen, in September.
Support worker Claire Page who will be accompanying the couple in the trip said, ‘’ I can’t stop smiling, I’m so proud to be part the celebration of Michael achieving this mammoth goal in just one year. Michael has worked so hard to overcome his difficulties and has made amazing progress I such a short time’’
May 2007
tracscare adds supported living business to the tracscare family
Sovereign Capital today announces the Institutional Buy-out of Parallel Options Limited (“Parallel”), who are a leading provider of supported living care solutions for adults with learning disability or mental health needs in Gloucestershire. Parallel will now be part of the tracscare family.
Parallel is a leading player in the supported and independent living market, providing services to adults often with complex needs. This flexible, tailor-made support can range from a few hours a day to fully staffed 24 hour packages. Supported Living offers service users a real choice to move into more independent living environments, often as a step down from multiple-occupancy residential homes.
Sovereign Capital recognised the benefits of adding Parallel Options into the tracscare familiy and the advantages of bringing Parallel under the management of the tracscare senior management team to develope Parallel’s existing range of services and roll out to new areas.
Parallel Options will be led by Eric Millard, CEO who has a wealth of experience of delivering high quality specialist care services and who is well known to Sovereign. Eric is supported by the other Directors of tracscare and Sharon Gillson, Operations Manager, who has been with Parallel for a number of years.
Eric Millard said:
We are delighted to welcome Parallel Options into the tracscare family. Parallel provides a range of flexible independent living solutions which complement well our residential care businesses.
March 2007
Chickens bring Eggstra Dimension
tracscare clients in Northampton are working with the local college on a feathery project.
Mike Bower, from the supported learning team at Northampton College has been working with clients from Spinney Hill and Orchard View on the Chicken Run Project.
The clients have put their woodworking skills to good use, erecting a chicken coop in the garden of Orchard View and learning about chicken care, before preparing to take possession of their own chickens in the next few months. Michele Convery, Midlands Area Director for tracscare said, “The clients have really enjoyed this project. Not only are they putting their practical skills to good use; they will also be looking after the chickens, once they arrive, and hopefully using the eggs for cooking.
We have actively encouraged this project because we believe it has had an extremely positive effect on the clients and their confidence.”
Mike Bower said, “I have really enjoyed working with the clients from tracscare and watching them become more and more confident in the handling of the chickens has been really fulfilling. I look forward to working with them on future projects.”
Singing the praises of our heroes
tracscare is delighted to be entering a number of special staff members into the Unsung Heroes award organised by Caring Times.
These special honours look to reward those working in care who are often not recognised in other awards ceremonies.
The entrants from tracscare are, Lorraine Baxter, Kev Kent, Peter Ellery, Peg Matutu, Paul Kimberely and Lee Llewellyn. All of these tracscare employees (and many others too) contribute well ‘over and above’ their contracted job roles.
Carnival Time!
Its carnival time in Wales as clients from Hazeldene pull together a huge May Party.
Hazeldene is organising a May carnival for clients in the Wales area (although they have made all tracscare clients from across the UK very welcome)
The event will be held at Birchgrove Community Centre in Swansea and promises to be a funpacked day.
The event will include fancy dress, hot dogs and burgers, a cake competition, and horror boxes, where brave participants can see if they can guess what horrible things are in the boxes.
The climax of the day will be the Baby Buggy Float which is a take off of the traditional float parade, where clients will decorate their buggies and then parade around while the winner is judged.
Kev Kent, Maintenance Supervisor, is organising the event with his fiancé Wendy, who works at Hazledene. He said, “All the hard work in pulling this together will be worth it when the clients and staff are there enjoying the day. Staff, Clients, their relatives or Social Workers are invited to join the fun.
New Generation of assessment tools devised by tracscare
26/01/07
tracscare has been working with a number of leading experts to develop a completely new generation of clinical assessment plans devised to deliver positive outcomes for their clients.
These new style assessment tools are different to other methods because they deal specifically with clinical issues in a residential setting, and the objective is to enhance client's lives on a daily basis.
Working with leading authorities in the fields of Autism, Acquired Brain Injury, Challenging Needs and Mental Health, tracscare's Service Director, Sue Hullin has drawn up specific assessment tools which will provide measurability and uniformity to client assessments across the 35 home portfolio.
Sue Hullin said, "We had a vision to create a more clinically specific service compared to our previous service provision and compared to services being provided by others. We wanted to provide a comfortable home in a community setting but also wanted to meet the clients' therapeutic, rehabilitative and clinical needs within this residential setting. This could only be achieved with a full understanding of their clinical needs which would be gained from the assessments."
"The conclusions and recommendations emerging from the assessments lead to therapeutic or compensatory interventions, or may lead to skill training with the context of the client's clinical background. For example the Acquired Brain Injury tool may lead to the need to address anger management issues prior to skill training or may highlight compensatory strategies to address memory deficit depending on the clinical need it highlights."
The new system has been rolled out across the tracscare portfolio and the company is in a position to analyse the results and to add further refinements.
A range of experts assisted in the development of the tools. A series of consultations were held with the Autism Society in the development of the programme for autistic clients.
Professor Roger Wood and Dr Neil Rutterford worked with the tracscare team to provide a framework for the acquired brain injury clients' assessment regime.
The Mental Health assessment was developed by Simon Trehearne a registered nurse in mental health and clinically ratified by Denise Whitworth a chartered clinical psychologist.
Don Barron, tracscare'se behavioural therapist worked to devise the Challenging Needs matrix. This tool identifies core behaviours, which have a detrimental effect on the clients' quality of life, and again tries to establish strategies to address or reduce the impact to these behaviours.
The new assessment tools have been well received in the homes by all of the care workers who now feel they have had a really positive means of improving their clients' lives giving them more job satisfaction.
Sarah Curtis Clinical Nurse at Cedar House and Bryn Irfon home said, "The clients I work with have acquired brain injury or challenging needs and this assessment tool has enabled us to make a real difference. We can actively map individual's care from a clinical perspective and make a real difference to daily life for many. "
Client care under the magnifying glass
1/12/06
Care providers tracscare recently held a focus day which was run by the clients to allow them to give their opinions on the way their homes are managed.
The day for the Wales region brought together more than 20 clients and gave them the opportunity to discuss the care they receive and how improvements could be made.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive of tracscare, said "We hold client focus days across all of the regions where we have homes, but this year we handed all of the responsibility over to the clients.
"In previous years, the senior management teams have led the discussions but we felt that it would be more effective to let the clients host the days, supported by their co-workers, with no management involvement.
"While the findings from the day have yet to be collated and analysed, first impressions prove that by giving the clients the chance to take the lead the comments were very constructive and honest."
In order to help the process, the support workers had printed off a number of questions and discussion points, which included asking how happy they were with the care they could receive, what they felt the home environment was like, and what they would want to see happen in the future.
The clients gathered in a community centre in Pontardawe and all had helped their co-workers to make refreshments for the day.
Sandra Sprague from Hazeldene said,
"I am happy with the way staff care for me, I like all the staff and clients here. The home is very tidy and I like to keep myself clean and tidy. I like to be busy and the staff help me with this, I have also got my own key for the front door. I love going on holidays and the staff come with me."
Eric added, "The care and support we provide is, as far as possible very individual, all co-workers and home managers try very hard to get to know clients and work with them to provide the highest quality of care.
"However, we have found that taking clients out of their environment and actually inviting them to have their say really is important in order to uphold our standards. Clients appreciate it because we take their views very seriously and are committed to acting upon their wishes as far as possible."
Client focus days are due to be held in the Midlands, the South West and Northampton to give a complete picture of tracscare's services across the region.
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Compass Care on Track for Expansion
07/11/06
Compass Care, part of the tracscare's group, is in the midst of an expansion programme which will bring the total number of homes in the Northhampton area to seven as part of tracscare's company wide £10 million investment programme.
In July, the company opened Orchard View in Little Billington which is a four bedroom home for adults with a mental illness diagnosis.
This month, a new five bed home, St George's will open to provide care and support for adults with challenging behaviour.
Compass Care became part of the tracscare group in May 2005, which provides supported living solutions for adults across Wales, the Midlands, The South West and Northamptonshire.
New Kid on the Caring Block!
03/11/06
tracscare support worker Jan Jones, is celebrating being shortlisted as a finalist in the forthcoming National Care Awards.
Jan, who is 39, only joined the care sector 15 months ago. She has been named as a finalist in the best newcomer category at the awards which will take place at the end of this month in London.
Jan joined tracscare, which provides care and rehabilitation for clients with learning disability, acquired brain injury, mental health needs and Autism across the UK, in a complete career change after working in a local butchers for much of her working life.
Working at the Homeleigh in Swansea, Jan has rapidly attained her NVQ levels one and two in Care, and plans to continue her studies to gain NVQ level 3 aiming to become a senior support worker as the next stage of her career.
Home Manager, Sue Roberts said, "Jan has proved herself to be an extremely valuable member of the team. Her work with one client in particular has shown us just how committed she is to providing excellent care. Through her dedication she has managed to improve the literacy level of one client and he now attends the local college.
"In addition to this, she has obtained passports to leisure for the clients to use the local leisure services free and applied for free bus passes for all of the clients. She has a genuinely caring nature and her efforts have greatly improved the prospects of the service users. "
Jan Jones said, "I am thrilled to be shortlisted and looking forward to the night whatever the result. "
Chief Executive of tracscare Eric Millard said, "We are delighted with Jan's achievement so far and wish her the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.
New purpose built home for tracscare group
28/10/06
The leading provider of care and rehabilitation services for adults, tracscare, has opened a new flagship home, for clients with an acquired brain injury who may have associated mobility issues.
Oakhill, in Swansea, will accommodate up to seven clients in surroundings which been designed to suit their needs. This is the first purpose built home developed by the company.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive of tracscare said, "Oakhill House is a very exciting addition to our portfolio of care homes. It is a first for us because, as with other care providers in this sector, most homes of this nature are older properties which have been converted for use.
"Oakhill retains the essential homely feel that is a key element in all of our homes but has been designed and planned, using the most up to date disability aids to ensure that clients lives and those of the support workers, are made as easy as possible."
tracscare consulted with commissioners, social workers, clients and suppliers in the development of Oakhill, which has taken over 18 months to complete with an investment of £1m
The home features seven full en-suite bedrooms rooms, lounge, dining room, meeting room, fully fitted kitchen and is fitted with ramps, handrails, lift and low level surfaces throughout.
Eric added, "We have had great co-operation from CSIW and Building Control, which we very much appreciated, allowing the Home to be registered without the en-suites being completed. This is a little unusual, but it has enabled us to offer new clients the option of a bath or shower, whichever more suites their needs. The feel of the home overall is light, airy and modern."
Home Manager, Becci Turner, who previously worked as Home Manger at another tracscare home said, "The surroundings at Oakhill will greatly enhance the lives of the clients who come to live here. They will really be able to enjoy the home because many of the difficulties and obstacles they may have faced in a converted home simply won't be there.
"We are delighted because we have also been in a position to consult with social workers and potential clients about their individual needs. Our first two client were surprised to be given the choice of a shower or bathroom. This element of choice coupled with tracscare's commitment to invest in a high quality fit out means that Oakhill really is a flagship property."
Swansea resident up for Sporting award
27/10/06
Steve Parsons from Swansea has been named a finalist in a sporting awards ceremony to be held at Brangwyn Hall next month.
The award for best senior disabled sports achiever is being made by the Swansea City Bravehearts which runs a football team for sports people with special needs.
Steve Parsons, from Swansea has had an excellent sporting year in 2006. He was picked to play on the Mencap/Gateway team at the European tournament in Switzerland earlier this year where the team came third. Steve lives in a residential home in Morriston for adults who need supported living solutions. The home is part of the tracscare group.
tracscare Home manager Sue Roberts said, "We have been delighted with Steve's acheivments this year and this nomination is really the icing on the cake. He is looking forward to attending the gala awards ceremony with his key worker on November 10th."
tracscare employee through to the final of the Wales Care Awards
13/09/06
Karen Parker of tracscare employee is through to the final of the Wales Care Awards thanks to her innovative approach to people development and training.
Karen Parker, is Regional Director for tracscare in Wales has been shortlisted as a finalist in the prestigious awards which celebrate outstanding achievement in the independent care sector.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive of tracscare, "We are delighted with Karen's achievement and wish her all the success on the night. She has been a driving force in the development and implementation of our fastrac training programme.
"Training is one of the key areas of focus at tracscare as we believe it is essential to provide the highest quality training programmes to ensure our support workers have the skills and confidence to deliver the high standards of care we require."
On parade at the palace
01/09/06
Kidderminster resident Ray Norris was invited to Buckingham Palace this month to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Grenadier Guards.
Ray, 50, served in the Grenadier Guards nearly 30 years ago, however he was forced to leave after a road accident left him with ongoing support needs associated with the brain injury acquired during the accident.
Ray has fond memories of his time in the forces and often tells stories and shows others he lives with his memorabilia.
He joined a number of other former and serving members of the Grenadier Guards at the party in Buckingham Palace which was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Unable to live independently because of his injury, Ray now lives at The Grove, a home run by tracscare for individuals who need supported living solutions.
Three of Ray's tracscare support workers attended the event with him. His co- worker, Lauren O'Shea said, "It was a pleasure to take Ray to the celebrations. He met so many people and was able to share many memories.
"Although we didn't actually speak to Queen, she did smile at us as she walked past. Ray can feel very proud that he was a part of the celebrations."
tracscare worked with the Grenadier Guards Association, The 'Not Forgotten' Association and the Royal British Foces legion and in particular Tony Goldsmith from SSAFA Forces Help Kidderminster to co-ordinate the arrangements and the funding to make the visit happen.
Seventh New Home for tracscare
29/05/06
Glanmore House, located in Wellington nr Telford, Shropshire, opened in May. This seven bed Home is for adults with a dual diagnosis. Previously a domestic residence, the property has been significantly upgraded with 7 en-suite bedrooms.
When sickness becomes a headache
03/05/2006
Staff sickness - one of the major headaches for the health and social care sector – is being put under the spotlight by tracscare, one of the UK's leading providers in specialist care.
On first glance, it would appear that employers and colleagues bear the brunt of people not turning in for work – but a closer look being taken by the company has highlighted the negative implications it can also have for service users.
The tracscare study is the result of a throwaway comment from one of its residents, Clayton Egleton, of Ty Camlas in Ystradgynlais, near Swansea.
Having become so aware of staff calling in sick, Clayton's observations led him to volunteer as a service user spokesperson in a bid to educate carers on how damaging unexpected days off can be to those they look after.
Clayton explained, "I have a personality disorder and as a result do not cope easily with change. Recently, I was told that one of my activities with my key worker had to be cancelled at the last minute because another member of staff was ill.
"I felt that it was important to let the caring staff know exactly what affect they have when they phone in sick in the morning."
Following an initial presentation to staff in Ty Camlas, Clayton who is 28, has been invited to attend staff meetings at homes across Wales and the Midlands to share his experiences.
Neil Jeremiah, Manager at Ty Camlas, who helped Clayton to develop the presentation he will give to tracscare staff, said, "This is something new for the care sector. Everyone knows that staff sickness is inconvenient but Clayton's observations really do add a new perspective."
Sue Hullin, Service Director at tracscare said, "Staff absenteeism can be a significant issue and we want to be very proactive in the way we try to minimise and manage it.
"Clayton's contribution to these meetings is seen as an extremely positive way of addressing the problem as it focuses on the service users, which is of paramount importance. As a care provider, one of our key objectives is to engage the client, giving them the chance to discuss and manage their care where possible."
These recent presentations are the latest in a number of methods tracscare has used to try to minimise staff absenteeism and its impact.
Sue added, "Already the tracscare staff are rewarded for high levels of attendance with the homes achieving the lowest record of absenteeism being given an award.
"Similarly staff can accumulate 'duvet days' in addition to their annual leave for good attendance. We believe that communication and understanding between carers and clients will be another way in which absenteeism and the inconvenience it causes can be reduced."
New Acquisitions
03/05/2006
Sovereign Capital, the independent UK lower mid-market private equity provider and major shareholder of tracscare Group, has funded the acquisition of two specialist care homes from Selwyn Care Group, in a £3.25 million transaction. Sovereign has provided additional equity commitment to tracscare to support this and further transactions.
The two new homes, Bethany Lodge (Worcester) and Honeybrook House (Kidderminster) provide specialist residential care for adults with autistic spectrum disorders and high support needs. The acquisitions strengthen tracscare's portfolio of services and further consolidate the group's geographical presence. Sovereign originally completed the £26 million institutional buy-out of tracs in March 2004.
These latest acquisitions follow on from the £5 million bolt-on in May 2005 of Compass Care which provides residential care for adults with Dual Diagnosis. Today, tracscare provides services for 166 clients in 30 residential homes. This represents a 30% increase in capacity from the time of the IBO.
Dominic Dalli, Director, Sovereign Capital commented:
"tracscare has seen significant growth over the last two years and continues to build upon the range of services it provides to clients. We are delighted with the acquisitions of Bethany Lodge and Honeybrook House which further enhance the range of specialist services on offer by tracscare and we remain committed to further developing the business through organic and acquisitive growth."
Eric Millard, Chief Executive, tracscare commented:
"We were particularly keen to grow our specialist services in autism and the acquisition of these quality care providers has doubled the number of tracscare Homes for adults with an autistic spectrum disorder . Earlier this year, we achieved accreditation from the National Autistic association and we will now endeavour to extend this quality standard to these two newly acquired Homes. We look forward to continued growth over the coming months."
New Homes for a New Year
03/05/2006
tracscare Group continues to grow, with a new Home in Llanelli. Gwynfryn, an eight bed Home for adults with mental health needs, opened in May 2006. The house, which had previously been used as a Care Home, has been completely rebuilt internally, creating 8 full en-suite bedrooms, two laundries, conservatory lounge, dining room and kitchen. An experienced manager, Jo Perry, has been appointed Home Manager. Jo was previously manager of tracscares Gower Lodge.
This new development came shortly after the opening of Kington Court in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. Kington Court is registered for four adults with acquired brain injury. The house is an annexe of Kington House, a new Home awaiting registration for seven adsults with mental health needs. Kington Court has 4 full en-suite bedrooms, lounge/dining room, kitchen etc
It’s great to receive unsolicited praise!
19/12/2005
An unsolicited letter received by post last week
Dear Sirs
Re: Mr x, Church View, Gowerton.
The above client has been resident within your service since April 2000. During his time with your service he has demonstrated steady improvement in all areas of his life. This improvement is as a result of the hard work of the care team that are responsible for meeting his needs.
All areas of need have been identified and the holistic approach employed is meeting these. Mr x has a history of very difficult to manage behaviour that made finding a suitable placement very difficult.
The purpose of this correspondence is to express my pleasure and satisfaction regarding the ongoing treatment of my client and the dedication and hard work his care team have and are showing.
I feel that Samantha Edwards (key worker) and Johan Perry (home manager) deserve particular credit for their input. Staff involved in the past care of Mr x also deserve a mention.
It is rare that I feel a placement exceeds my expectations and therefore I felt it important to express this to yourselves
.
I would appreciate that you feedback this information to the care team at Church View.
I would like to wish everyone at tracs a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Another New home from tracs
03/10/2005
tracs opened their third Home at the end of September, one of several exciting developments for 2005. Ashcombe Court, is registered for seven adults with a learning difficulty and mental health needs (Dual Diagnosis). The Home is located in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset and is situated only ten minutes from the sea front and main shopping centre. All bedrooms have a full shower en-suite and there is a house bathroom.
Val Owen, tracscare Group Finance Director, said "This superb development will provide a first class Home for the clients, maintaining the high quality care for which tracs has a strong reputation. This third new Home in 2005 keeps the new Management of tracs well on couse to achieve its programme of growth"
TRACS opens a second new Home in 2005
19/09/2005
Following the accreditation of Rose Cottage, by the National Autistic Society, tracs have opened their second Home dedicated to caring for adults with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Rosewood is a small four bed Home, located in the village of Cwmllynfell, West Glamorgan. Situated on the outskirts of the village, Rosewood enjoys a semi rural position with a large paddock adjoining the rear garden. Each bedroom has full ensuite shower facilities and the house consists of a kitchen, loung/dining room, garden room, house bathroom as well as staff sleep in room with its own ensuite.
tracs has over 20 years experience of caring for adults with an autistic spectrum disorder.
TRACS Home gains accreditation
08/08/2005
Rose Cottage, the tracs Home dedicated to supporting adults with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome, has achieved accreditation from the National Autistic Society.
Andrea Bennett, Home Manager of Rose Cottage said "We are thrilled to have been awarded this accreditation. My staff team at Rose Cottage have all worked very hard and shown great dedication to achieve this recognition." Andrea added "They all play a part in running the home, which is autism specific and offers high quality care for the clients they support."
The staff at Rose Cottage receive extensive internal training, supplemented by relevant external courses, including in-depth training and on-going support on low arousal techniques. This is at the core of tracs care philosophy.
Sue Hullin, tracs Service Director expressed her thanks to Andrea and the team for their achievement. Sue commented " Accreditation by the National Autistic Society further emphasises tracs commitment to deliver high quality care for its clients. tracs is already an ISO 9001 accredited company."
Clients at Rose Cottage are individually assessed, with support plans and activities to aid their development. This includes identifying each individual client's abilities within the triad of impairments and aiding them to work with their autism, not against it.
Chief Executive, Eric Millard said " This is a great achievement and will not only benefit the clients, but Social Workers and Funding Authorities will be reassured that when they refer clients to Rose Cottage, they will receive individual support and care, to a high standard, which is autism specific".
tracs are planning to open Rosewood, a four bed Home and tracs second dedicated autism specific Home in Wales, later this year.
TRACS adds Professor to the team
22/07/2005
tracs are pleased to confirm that Professor Rodger Wood and his team have been retained to provide neuropsychology services to our acquired brain injured clients. In particular, Professor Wood will be involved in the provision of neuropsychological assessments, advice on managing behaviour and specialist training for staff.
Professor Woods is Professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Wales Swansea. His research interests include the impact of acquired brain injury, particularly orbito-frontal injury, on behaviour, cognition and social functioning; The Clinical effectiveness of brain injury rehabilitation techniques in respect of social outcome; Long term sequelae of traumatic brain injury and Forensic neuropsychological assessment to identify neurobehavioural disability associated with frontal dysfunction.
Sue Hullin, tracs Service Director expressed great delight in attracting Professor Wood to join the tracs team. Sue said " We are constantly trying to improve our quality of service and further develop the positive therapeutic outcomes for our clients. Professor Wood will help us achieve that for our clients with an acquired brain injury."
TRACS opens new Home
15/06/2005
Ty Camlas, an 8 bed Home for adults with mental health needs, opened on 24th May 2005. The property was formerly a canal side Inn and has been converted into a spacious 8 bed Care Home by tracs Ltd. Each of the bedrooms has a full en-suite and the Home has two lounges (smoking and non smoking); a dining room; meeting room, craft room and large kitchen. Outside there is a side courtyard and to the rear a small private garden.
"This is not only tracs first new Home under the new management team", said Sue Hullin, Service Director, "but is also tracs first Home dedicated to adults with mental health needs"
Chief Executive, Eric Millard, added "This is an exciting project and the first of several new developments being planned by the new management team."
Sovereign Capital acquired the share capital of tracs in March 2004 and engaged the management team, led by Eric Millard, to further develop the business.
Congratulations!
13/06/2005
Congratulations and well done to Karen, at Chesterwood in Birmingham for successfully completing the BBC Absolute Beginners Couse to Using a Computer. Home Manager, Sheila Horton said "We are very proud of Karens achievement, she has worked very hard"
tracscare Group Acquire Compass Care
06/06/2005
tracscare Group Limited ("tracs"), one of the leading providers of specialist residential care homes for adults with Mental Health needs has acquired Compass Care.
Compass Care runs 5 residential care homes for adults with Learning Disability and Mental Health needs in Northampton and Suffolk. The business was set up in 2000 and has already developed a reputation throughout the UK for accommodating clients who may be making their first community placement from a secure unit.
Operating in South Wales and the Midlands, tracscare Group was established when tracs Limited was acquired by Sovereign Capital, the independent private equity provider which has a particular focus on investing in the health and social care sector. tracs ' growth strategy is ahead of plan with new services in autism and mental health now available. With the acquisition of Compass Care, the tracscare Group will provide services for over 158 clients in 20 residential homes.
Eric Millard, Chief Executive, tracscare GROUP Limited commented:
"We are delighted with the acquisition of Compass Care which is an ideal fit with tracs in every aspect – it is a quality operator; builds upon the range of services which tracs already provides and is also complementary from a geographical perspective. In the fourteen months since Sovereign's original investment, the tracscare Group has seen tremendous development and most importantly has maintained the high quality of care which is so fundamental to our clients. Both Compass Care and tracs have built strong reputations for the care provided and benefit from a national spread of referrers, whom recognise the shortage of specialist residential resources focused upon [Mental Health. With our enhanced service offering, we look forward to the next stage of our development."
