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. 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in addressing people's unique needs, including children, older adults, autistic people, people living

Embracing Inclusion: Social Model of Disability

The care sector has progressed significantly over the last 60 years, and language is ever-evolving for the better. By adopting

Challenges in Healthcare Service Provision

Case commissioners, who work alongside healthcare providers to deliver tailored health and care services within local communities, must navigate systemic

The Role of Speech Therapy in Reducing Challenging Behaviour

Through personalised interventions, collaboration with health professionals, and ongoing support, speech therapy empowers people and their support network to manage

Specialised Support From Our Expert Therapy Team

Our therapists understand the challenges that people who require complex care face. That's why they undergo extensive training focused on

Empowering Engagement: Autism-Friendly Activities

How an autistic child experiences the world around them highly depends on their neurodivergent mind. Their unique way of sensory

Mental Health Crisis: Signs and Coping Strategies

Navigating a mental health crisis demands a keen awareness of subtle signs—profound shifts in mood, extreme fatigue, or persistent anxiety.

How Healthcare Providers Can Demonstrate Value to Case Commissioners

A common goal between healthcare providers and case commissioners' is to improve the health and well-being of the individuals they

Safeguarding Children: Roles and Responsibilities of Health and Social Care Professionals

Safeguarding policies and procedures cover a wide range of issues, including child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and radicalisation. They also include

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Addressing Global Developmental Delay

While occupational therapists are often associated with hospitals and clinics, they also work in schools, community settings, and people's homes.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): How it Works

Each behaviour serves a purpose. Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) helps individuals, particularly children, learn new behaviours to replace challenging ones.

How Does Global Developmental Delay Affect Learning?

Global developmental delay (GDD) can significantly impact learning by affecting a child's ability to reach developmental milestones. Academic skills may

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

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....

The Language of Difference: Understanding Autistic Communication Differences

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....

Call us if you know someone with complex care needs that are a risk to themselves or others or have noticed rapidly escalating behaviours.