frequently asked questions
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Here are the answers to some questions we are sometimes asked which you might find informative...
What is a learning disability?	A learning disability affects the way a person learns, communicates and does everyday things. Learning disability affects people throughout their lives, meaning that they may need help and support in some way. Some people need little or no support, but others may need support for a part of or even for the whole of the day to do all sorts of things, like getting dressed, going shopping, making a cup of tea or filling out forms. Some people with a learning disability may also have a physical disability which is likely to have an impact on the type of help and support they need. A learning disaability does not stop a person learning and achieving a lot in life e.g. owning a home and having a job, so it is important that service providers understand and respond to the aspirations of people with learning disabilities in the best and most creative ways they can.
Who are the Brothers of Charity?	The Brothers of Charity Services in the United Kingdom is part of an international movement working in almost thirty countries across the world. Founded in Belgium in 1807, the Brothers of Charity work with marginalised, disadvantaged and excluded people in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Services and support are provided to people regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, sexual orientation or race. In the United Kingdom, the Brothers of Charity specialise in services to adults with learning disabilities. More information on the international work of the Brothers of Charity can be found on www. brothersofcharity.org
What kinds of support do you offer?	We offer a range of support services to people with a learning disability, including supported living services (through supported tenancies), support for people with profound and multiple disabilities, a wide variety of day services and access to supported employment and voluntary work.
Who pays for the support you offer?	Statutory bodies such as Social Services and Primary Care Trusts pay the fees of most of the people who use our services. Funding to support people is also sourced through the Department of Work and Pensions and through Housing Benefit. However, some people use direct payments or the Independent Living Fund to pay for their support service. If you have an interest in accessing the services we provide, we will work with you and your family and other representatives (where appropriate) to determine how your fees will be paid.
What should I do if I am interested in being supported by your service?	In the first place, you should contact the Director of Services for the region which most interests you. Details can be found on the contacts page of this website. You should also contact your social worker / care manager to discuss the options available to you.
Can I choose where I live and who I live with?	We work very hard to meet the wishes and needs of all the people who access our services. Most people live in supported tenancies with two or three other people. However, we always look to accomodate your wishes as far as possibly can. Some of the people for whom we provide support live in single person tenancies and in these cases, it is obviously much easier to respond to specific requests.
Can I choose who supports me?	We encourage people using our supported living service to take an active role in all aspects of recruiting and interviewing staff.
How much support will I get?	This depends on a number of factors including information we receive from your previous assessments and the details you include with your application. If you have a Person Centred Plan, we welcome the chance to consider what it says. We always undertake our own assessment process and encourage you to visit the services that interest you. Our overall aim is to enable you to have the kind of lifestyle you want and the level of support you receive is likely to reflect this.
What happens if I need extra support?	If your support needs change after you have begun to access our services, we will work with your sponsoring authority to re-negotiate the scope of your support service. Obviously, we cannot guarantee that they will respond, but we will work with you to put forward a good case.
Can I go on holiday?	This is your decision to make. All people living in supported tenancies receive enough income to make it possible to go on holiday. Choosing who you want to go with, where you want to go and who will support you (if necessary) are important factors to be considered, but everyone using our service is encouraged to go on holiday at least once a year.
Can I have friends to stay?	Yes, this is possible, but if you live with other people, it is important to take their needs and wishes into account.
What if there is something I want to complain about?	If at any time you are unhappy with any part of your service or the people who support you, we need to know so that we can respond and resolve the situation. We have a straightforward and easy to understand complaints procedure so that you can make your complaint formally if necessary. If you have a complaint, you can also contact the local office of the Commission for Social Care Inspection or your own social worker.