Richard's story
Background
When Richard was referred to Care Principles, he was 33 years old. He was receiving treatment in a mental hospital for a mild learning disability and challenging behaviours including physical aggression. His condition was not improving and his carers were beginning to find his behaviour problematic.
Assessment, admission and treatment
Richard’s carers referred him to Rowan House, one of our medium secure hospitals. He was assessed by the unit’s senior clinical team and, together, they and Richard developed a specific offence-related treatment programme that also combined recreational and educational components, with exercises to help Richard develop his anger management abilities and his social skills.
Progress
In the initial months, Richard’s risk profile indicated that he was not ready for unescorted leave from the unit. Consequently, all community access was with escorting staff and was carefully assessed and monitored.
It was not long before Richard was making steady progress, though, with only a few setbacks along the way. These were useful, however, from a learning perspective, and his care team were able to adjust his treatment programme accordingly.
After 18 months, Richard’s risk profile had reduced significantly, and his care team decided that he was ready for transfer to the low secure service on the hospital site. A transition plan was developed by his carers and by the receiving care team, and a successful transfer was made to the unit. Richard continued to make excellent progress in this new environment and, after just 31 months, he was successfully discharged to a low secure community unit near to his home town, on trial leave. The trial was very successful: Richard has now settled into his new home, and is even attending a catering course at a local college.
“Our staff are very used to caring for people with problems like Richard's. Consequently, they were able to develop a treatment programme that was perfect for his needs, which he responded well to. This young man has a very positive future ahead of him.”
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