Margaret Hanney is a vastly experienced and highly qualified social worker
with expertise in the disabilities field. As Cornerstone’s director of care, she
is
responsible for the opening of two new residential facilities that will greatly
enhance care facilities in the south.
Q1: Hello Margaret. You’re opening two new residential resource centres in Southampton. These must be busy and exciting times
for you?
A1: It’s great. We’re enhancing the range and quality of the resources in the
south of England for children and young adults with disabilities. And we’re
out
to make a difference to the quality of care available to children and
young
adults. I couldn’t be happier.
Q2: Is that the reason for opening the two new residential units?
A2: Of course. Every thing we do is driven by our philosophy as a company
and as a group of dedicated like-minded professional carers to enable children,
young people and adults to enjoy a life of inclusion, rather than exclusion. And
to enable them to be an integral part of the world that
surrounds them. These
residential centres will help us achieve this. More importantly, it will give a
person with a disability the same life chances and choices as any other person.
Q3: So what are you adding to the resources available to social
service
departments, local authorities and private individuals?
A3: We adding a further 13 beds to our existing resources but more
significantly we are able to offer over 2,800 days of respite per year to
children and their families.
What’s more, the two units have been custom built to cater for clearly
identified needs. Tourmaline is a five bed specially adapted residential home for children and young adults with complex needs. Galena is an eight bed respite centre where we will undertake planned care programmes.
Q4: As an aside, why the names of stones for the residential units?
A4: Because it makes it much more personal and friendly. Helps add to the
character and atmosphere of the resources and gives each one a clear identity. From our point of view, it’s great fun naming them too and picking stones whose names and looks we love. Tourmaline, for example, is known as the rainbow gemstone.
Q5: And what facilities do they have?
A5: Everything necessary to make a difference to the lives of children and
young adults. As well as specialised equipment, both new houses have large
gardens with raised decking, bedding and flower beds to enable children and
young adults to experience what we all enjoy – and to develop news skills in the gardens. There are designated safe drop off zones and there are plenty of local attractions and amenities for everyone.
Inside the units have been specially adapted to suit the needs of children and
young adults. They are both extremely spacious environments, accessible by
wheelchair with hoists and moving equipment as appropriate.
Q6: Very impressive. What about staffing and care standards?
A6: Quality care and the highest possible standards have always been high on
our list of priorities as a company and as social service professionals. This
on-going commitment will be continued with the staffing and care standards of
the new homes.
Q7: Can you explain more?
A7: All our homes have a minimum of one-to-one staffing. In many cases this
two-to-one. All staff work to meeting the individually-assessed needs of the
child or the young adult, which are agreed prior to placement. They are all
registered and monitored with the CSCI as well. Working in partnership with
parents, social services and health and education professionals is important, as is the on-going training of our staff.
Q8: What are your personal goals with the new homes?
A8: I am first and foremost a social worker. And always will be. From my
perspective, inclusion and maximising life chances are what it is all about.
Every child has the right to the same life experience as any other child and it
is up to the adults in that child’s life to enable this to happen. I expect any
staff member to challenge if a child or young adult it being excluded because of
his or her disability.
Q9: How will you measure the success of the units?
A9: By making a positive difference to the lives of every child and young
adult who comes under our care.
Q10: Dare we say good luck?
A10: Thank you. But hopefully we have covered everything. We’re looking
forward to the challenge and meeting a whole host of new faces.
