Pursuing Independent Paths (PIP) - day service

What does this service do?

Pursuing Independent Paths supports adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. Pursuing Independent Paths ethos is to promote better choice and control and independent living through person-centred planning and accredited training opportunities.

Pursuing Independent Paths creates opportunities for independent living skills and community integration, including:

• Literacy and numeracy

• Managing money

• Preparation for employment

• Nutrition

• Cooking and healthy eating

• Exercise and lifestyle choices

• Arts and crafts; and

• Theatre and drama

Who is this service available to?

Pursuing Independent Paths works with individuals diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe learning disabilities aged 18 years and over.

Pursuing Independent Paths also works with individuals who have a dual diagnosis of learning disability and mental health issues.

Holistically Pursuing Independent Paths main incentive is to promote independence and help individuals develop their skills and selfconfidence.

How do you access this service?

The services advertised by Pursuing Independent Paths are available using your personal budgets. Pursuing Independent Paths will accept referrals from anyone including professionals, families, carers, and individuals.

To apply, the referee can contact Pursuing Independent Paths directly using the contact details provided. They will be given a Pursuing Independent Paths referral form and an answer to their queries. Upon completion, the referral form will be reviewed and the customer will be called in for a face-to-face meeting. It is possible that the customer is already known to the service prior to this stage.

The face-to-face meeting is necessary to gather more information and establish whether Pursuing Independent Paths is the right service to meet the individual’s needs, wishes and circumstances. Following this meeting and depending on the outcome of the meeting the customer will have a trial session. If the customer wishes to continue accessing the service they will receive a person-centred plan, which is reviewed twice a year.

The person-centred plan covers a wide-range of issues with a strong focus on goal-setting and outcomes. Professionals from different services will be involved throughout this process to ensure a holistic approach to peoples care and support.

How do we ensure the quality of this service?

Pursuing Independent Paths services are not externally regulated but rather follow a series of internal procedures and protocols. This includes:

• Recognising and Rewarding Progress and Achievement (RARPA). RARPA is a system designed to monitor and track the customer’s progress meeting their aspired goals and outcomes.

• An annual ‘Student Survey’ for quality assurance and development purposes, Personal Independent Paths release an annual Student Survey for customers to participate in and give their feedback.