OUTREACH SERVICES

The aim of the outreach service is to enable service users who are unable to attend the Community Resource Centre or other external services the opportunity to access resources that will aid their development and progress. When the initial assessment is completed our team of staff would work with the client and/or their advocate to develop a tailor made programme that would work to build the necessary skills and confidence required for an individual to move into community activities, in the first instance at our Community Resource Centre and then into the wider community where appropriate. The outreach services are offered for as long as required.
We understand that when many individuals begin services with Insight Dynamics they may be experiencing difficulties in social interaction, or may take some time to develop confidence in a new service and the staff that work with them. We are aware that these things take time and the outreach services allow the benefits of a structured programme to begin from the outset.

DRAMA SERVICES

If individuals are unable to attend the Community Resource Centre drama services can be tailored for delivery within the home. This can be on a one to one basis or in small groups. The sessions would be devised specifically to focus on areas identified in the client’s case package. This may include communication, self esteem, anxiety, trauma, anger management and the exploration of alternative coping mechanisms. The sessions can also be used to build on interpersonal and daily life skills, using role play, games and creative methods to develop skills and address routines such as personal hygiene, meal times, relaxation and bed time.
Drama sessions are conducted in the home with the individuals support workers present if required, this allows routines that are formulated to be followed through, to ensure consistency and understanding in approach.
Some individuals benefit from having drama sessions in the home strictly for fun, creativity and expression. The Drama Co-ordinator can also support individuals in accessing wider drama services such as performance courses and training. A central component of the drama outreach services is to encourage individuals to become active in their community and to broaden an individual’s experience of attending performance events, from pantomimes to contemporary theatre.

MUSIC AND CREATIVE SERVICES

As with the drama service, music and creative programmes can be set up in the clients own home if they are unable to attend the Community Resource Centre. The outreach music service covers anything from listening to music with the client to helping them discover new and therapeutic music, whilst looking at using basic musical instruments to help with sensory stimulation and developing creativity. Simple things like offering advice on how to get the best sound from a stereo through to more hands on tasks like learning how to use music and computer software are just a couple of examples of what can be achieved in the clients own home.
The Music Co-ordinator can also aid individuals in accessing the wider community by exposing them to new social activities, taking them to see bands or DJ’s or even taking them CD shopping.

CREATIVE LIFE SKILLS

The aim of the creative life skills programme is to enable individuals to become confident in performing everyday activities. The creative life skills team will work with individuals in the home to establish areas that need development or exploration. This may include activities such as cooking, budgeting, and recreational pursuits.
The team will also work with individuals to address particular issues and encourage creative expression through the use of visual arts, colour, form and shape. A wide range of activities can be offered in the home including motivational sessions and creative sessions to explore feelings and frustrations, anxiety and stress management and programmes that focus on health, nutrition and fitness.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

As part of the outreach services we are able to offer educational services to clients that would benefit from following a structured education package but who are unable to attend educational resources outside the home. During the initial assessment the Educational Consultant would work with the client, family/carer and referring bodies to identify educational needs, reviewing past educational attainment, key skills and participation in educational settings.
The educational services would be programmed as part of the client case package and would combine a variety of methods and techniques as identified in assessment. This may include the SPELL framework as developed by the National Autistic Society, or a creative based curriculum approach. The educational services work through skill enhancement, by identifying emerging skills and working to focus on these. The educational procedures are underpinned by theories of cognition and behaviour and work sympathetically to identify the most suitable methods to be used with an individual.

COMMUNICATION SERVICES

As part of the holistic package of services we place great emphasis on communication, when a service user accesses the domiciliary services we will thoroughly asses communication needs, and look to implement strategies and techniques to facilitate effective communication. This may entail supported communication such as the PECS system or makaton. We can provide access to speech and language therapy to establish the most effective strategies to enable communication and interaction.