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.

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 their autism or conform to neurotypical modes of interaction is not the path to building a foundation of understanding and acceptance. The focus should be on creating environments that respect neurodivergence and offer meaningful community opportunities that align with autistic people's needs and interests....

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 can lead to stress and anxiety. Approaches to managing sensory overload focus on personalised support, sensory-friendly spaces, and the use of assistive tools such as noise-cancelling headphones and weighted blankets. Strategies including occupational therapy, SALT, and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) play a key role in assisting autistic people in regulating their sensory experiences. Understanding and accommodating sensory needs can significantly improve well-being, promoting inclusion and independence....

Social Isolation in Autism

Social isolation in autism is a deeply impactful and often overlooked challenge that many autistic people and those with an intellectual disability face. For many on the autism spectrum, social cues, communication challenges, and sensory sensitivities can create a disconnect from their peers, leading to feelings of loneliness, exclusion, and a lack of belonging, forming meaningful social connections difficult. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the struggle with social isolation highlights the importance of providing tailored support and creating inclusive environments where autistic people can thrive socially, emotionally, and mentally....

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 lives, which translates to approximately seven in every 1,000 people. Because inward expressions of distress characterise quiet BPD, it can be harder to identify and may be mistaken for conditions like depression, anxiety, or even traits associated with autism. Identifying quiet BPD symptoms requires a thorough and compassionate evaluation by mental health professionals....

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 responsibilities are multifaceted and involve strategic planning, procurement, and quality assurance to ensure that home care services effectively meet the needs of the local population. This comprehensive overview will explore care commissioners' roles and how, as care providers, we should continuously aim to work together to achieve better outcomes for the people we support. ...

Speech and Language Support for Autistic People

There is a growing emphasis on understanding and addressing the speech, language, and communication needs of autistic children in the UK. Despite the increasing prevalence and awareness, there remain challenges in identifying and supporting speech and language difficulties in autistic people of all ages. As research and understanding evolve, developing more effective methods for identifying and addressing speech and language challenges is crucial. This helps ensure the right support and interventions are in place to enhance communication skills and improve the overall quality of life for autistic people....

Speech and Language Therapy for Learning Disabilities

Imagine a world where expressing thoughts or sharing feelings is a daily struggle. For people with a learning disability, this is often their reality — a world where words may not come easily, and emotions are trapped behind barriers of misunderstanding. Speech and language therapy (SALT) offers a lifeline, a bridge to connection and self-expression that many may take for granted. In social care, by supporting people to find their voice through spoken words, gestures, or alternative communication tools, these therapies empower them to connect with loved ones, build friendships, and experience a richer, more fulfilling life. ...

Capable Environments: Fostering Growth and Potential

The Capable Environments Model provides a holistic framework for effectively supporting growth and well-being in today’s world. Whether in the context of education, health and social care, or community development, this concept serves as a guiding principle for creating a world where every person has the opportunity to flourish. ...

Four Principles of Integrated Commissioning

The four principles of integrated commissioning are designed to promote sector-led improvement by appropriately aligning health and social care services to address community needs. This approach encourages local authority commissioners to develop health improvement programmes informed by robust local commissioning arrangements and focused on achieving measurable outcomes. The health improvement programme is intricately intertwined with integrated commissioning, providing a strategic framework for aligning health and social care services to meet local communities' health and well-being needs....

Signs of Masking in Autistic Women

Autistic women frequently engage in masking—a behaviour in which they alter or conceal their autistic traits to fit in with societal expectations. This practice is more common among women compared to men, primarily because societal norms often place greater pressure on women to appear neurotypical in social settings. Masking may include inhibiting natural behaviours like stimming, imitating non-verbal cues, or crafting intricate social scripts to manage interactions effectively....

Occupational Therapy for Learning Disabilities

Occupational therapy (OT) plays an instrumental role in assisting people with a learning disability—neurological variations that influence how the brain processes, retains and communicates information. Occupational therapists possess specialised expertise to address these differences, focusing on developing skills that enhance overall learning and daily functioning....

Occupational Therapy for Autism

Occupational therapy (OT) is a cornerstone of support for autistic people, providing essential services that allow them to bridge the gap between their abilities and the demands of daily life. In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of autism is estimated to be about 1 in every 100 people, according to the National Autistic Society. This statistic underscores the need for personalised, specialised services that empower people to reach their full potential. ...

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

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....

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....