At 24 years of age, P is one of five children living with autism and a learning disability, including several conditions. During the most challenging phase of P’s life, Leaf Complex Care was best placed to provide person-centred support by developing solutions that will encourage P. to overcome challenges and experience improved well-being.
Reflecting on the Past: The Story of P.
Because of the region’s lack of adequate schooling options, P’s family has been discussing different schools to find the most suitable education for him. Although his mother was hesitant about enrolling him in a residential school, she has been actively looking for a convenient option that concentrates on developing necessary life skills and enables him to thrive.
As the holidays approached, P. spent time with his family, and they noticed him expressing feelings of withdrawal and isolation. Instead of focusing on P’s challenges in the life he chooses to live, what he needed most was a caring team of support workers who understood his strengths. As his sister became aware of the existing situation, she took the initiative to reach out to social services. Therefore, a Rapid Response Team was promptly sent to deliver urgent support.
That Rapid Response team was Leaf Complex Care. Our support workers started providing 24/7, consistent support in P’s life and 2:1 support.
How Meeting the Right Support Enables Positive Outcomes
Two hours after the social worker made the call, a support worker from Leaf Complex Care’s crisis team arrived, which marked a turning point. Anton was one of the team members who arrived and started working with the family for a year. Throughout the first five months, Anton provided daily assistance to P.
A positive change gradually emerged through consistent support, diligence, and empathy.
“Anton started taking him out, going shopping and doing other fun things. He was able to do this because he had built up trust – and P had lost trust in everyone. I spent a year virtually housebound with Anton. I could not leave as P would get anxious if I left. ” – says the mom.
The support workers Anton and Kebba came into P’s life, providing him with 24/7 support, implementing PBS practices, and humanised care in every step of P’s journey. They had developed a strong bond with each other and with P. As a team, they collaborated and shared knowledge, with the ultimate goal of enabling P. to gain greater emotional regulation. P. started feeling calmer, and the staff supported him to reduce his medication intake and, above all, trust the people he is surrounded by.
The Impact of Meeting P’s Needs
Anton and Kebba, our dedicated support workers, are usually working on managing short-term crisis packages with people who require complex care. They have been cultivating a strong team bond and have made a mutual decision to continue working with P. As a cohesive team, they actively collaborate and share knowledge while aiming to support P. in outcomes that truly matter to him.
”They are person-centred and support P in a humanised way of care to make his own choices and to live his best life. They meet his needs 100%.” – says his mom.
His mom continues: “The team and I work together and learn from each other. Everyone is working to make sure P is independent. Leaf Complex Care make it look very easy, but they work incredibly hard and plan for everything; they monitor noise levels of where they go, check out what food is available and so on.”
P’s life significantly improves with the support and nurturing care from his support workers, and he now socialises over his football activities. Anton and Kebba supported P. in managing his diabetes by encouraging healthy habits and diet. This led to skin improvement, regaining self-confidence and a more fulfilled life in any segment.
As a result, P’s life in every aspect is now more fulfilling. He is experiencing a sense of calmness, and most importantly, he trusts Anton and Keba.
“As his mum, I will always have his back and will never stop worrying about him. But, with Leaf Complex Care working with him, I can relax. I know he is in safe hands.” – his mother ends.
