Client Engagement: Mental Health Supported Living and Employment Support Services
Download (PDF 119.07 KB)Summary of report content
In August 2019 Healthwatch Milton Keynes was commissioned by the local authority to find out the experiences of people who currently use Mental Health Supported Accommodation and Employment Support services in Milton Keynes.
They felt that the Supported Accommodation premises they visited didn’t currently demonstrate a consistent model of supporting or empowering residents to live independently. From the conversations held with residents across the locations, the placement system appears to depend on availability rather than the level of support or type of living space required. Healthwatch Milton Keynes observed a level of developing institutionalisation among residents who had been in the accommodation for more than a year. This perhaps stemmed from the lowering of aspirations by professionals (and families) for those with a diagnosis of any serious or long-term condition. They felt that day opportunity provision should include a mix of social opportunities and more structured life skill opportunities.
The report includes 8 recommendations aimed at improving supported accommodation and 3 aimed at improving employment support services in Milton Keynes.
The report includes a response from the provider setting out the action they intend to take as a result.