Blog

Read more about the diverse ecosystems of support in the health and social care sector through our blog posts. To provide deeper insight, we have established a dedicated platform where our multidisciplinary team of specialists share their first-hand experiences working with the people they support. As part of this initiative, the ‘In the Heart of Care’ blog series serves as a primary resource, offering a closer look at their proactive approach and personalised tools designed to encourage people’s journeys forward.

Light Sensitivity in Autism

Many autistic people experience light sensitivity, which can be triggered by everyday light stimuli such as sunlight, fluorescent lighting, or

How to Support a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder

In the UK, it's estimated that between 5–16% of school-aged children experience sensory processing difficulties, which can significantly impact their

OCD and Autism – Where They Co-Occur and Overlap

Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are two distinct conditions, each with its own characteristics, experiences, and support needs. However, they

Types of Social Stories

There are many different types of social stories, each designed to meet a specific need or situation. A social story

The Key Elements of a Great Social Story

Social Stories break down social situations into understandable parts using simple language and, often, pictures or illustrations. They provide a

Social Stories for Autism: When Change Feels Too Big

More than 700,000 autistic people live in the UK today. Many of them experience difficulties with social interaction and communication.

Autistic Mirroring: Simple Gesture – Deeper Connections

Have you ever noticed how humans naturally adapt to each other's energy in conversation? How do we smile when someone

Connecting Autistic People with Community Opportunities

Autistic people naturally communicate differently than neurotypicals, which means that their communication styles must be respected. Expecting people to mask

Managing Sensory Overload in Autistic People

Sensory overload is a common experience for many autistic people, where heightened sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, or social environments

Social Isolation in Autism

Social isolation in autism is a deeply impactful and often overlooked challenge that many autistic people and those with an

Quiet BPD and Relationships

In the UK, BPD is estimated to affect around 0.7% to 1.3% of the population at some point in their

Building Long-Term Partnerships with Case Commissioners

Care commissioners play a crucial role in the UK healthcare system, particularly in overseeing and managing home care services. Their

Specialist’s Corner: How Multimedia Is Transforming Support for People with Learning Disabilities and Autism

At Leaf Complex Care, multimedia is being used in powerful, personalised ways to enhance the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism. We spoke to Ben Andrew, PBS Coach and specialist in multimedia advocacy, about how these creative tools are shaping the future of support....

Key Factors in Adequately Assessing and Evaluating Autistic People

With varied experiences across different spheres and career paths, Ophelia was introduced to the field of occupational therapy by another occupational therapist. With her intuitive nature and a deep desire to support others, she found opportunities to volunteer in various occupational therapy services, gaining insight into the field's vast scope. She realised that this was her true vocation, enabling her to build a career aligning with her skillset while supporting people when they need it most. Join us as we explore Ophelia’s role and approach to therapy, grounded in evidence and driven by compassion....

How Intensive Interaction Helps Build Connections

Jodee’s career beginnings were in teaching and education, but her path shifted toward care when her passion for speech and language therapy was sparked by her eldest son, who is autistic. Jodee, who also is also autistic, found that her mental health needs made her previous work challenging, as the support she required was often lacking. Joining Catalyst Care Group became the turning point she needed—a place where people are truly recognised and valued for who they are. In the opening article, Jodee shares valuable insights into reframing how we communicate with the neurodivergent people we support, explaining how she brings this approach to life....

The Holistic Model of Occupational Therapy

Building Better Care: The Journey Towards Least-Restrictive Practices

George has built an impressive career as a specialist clinical practitioner, practice lead and trainer, focusing on managing and reducing high-risk behaviours of concern -including self-injury, self-harm and aggression to others. Through collaborative efforts with the therapy team, services, and across the organisation, Georgina has developed her role at Catalyst, finding ways to promote best practices in reducing restrictions and positive approaches to risk-taking. She shares real-life examples of how reducing restrictive practices is recognised as essential for improving well-being and quality of life and as an evidence-based approach to reducing behaviour of concern....

Getting the Right Support in Place: Communication Care Plans That Work

Jodee leads the Communication Care Planning training for all care coordinators within our organisation. The training is aimed primarily at care coordinators because many are responsible for developing people’s care plans and ensuring their implementation by the support workers. Care coordinators play an essential role in maintaining the smooth running of the services, acting as mediators between the people we support and their care team. Their role involves ensuring that everyone feels supported in their responsibilities for meeting the needs of the people in our care....