Aran Homes

At Aran Homes, we have been providing supported living services to adults experiencing mental ill health since 1997. Our vision is to deliver high-quality accommodation and support in a personalised and flexible way to meet individual needs. With our services based in London and Essex, we are financially accredited by the Supporting People Eastern Regional Group and assessed under the Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework, currently at Level B and working towards Level A.

Our Approach

Our approach to delivering services is centered around maintaining strategically relevant services that deliver on key policies around mental health and well-being. We have structured but flexible outcome-focussed support plans, with a positive approach to risk management. Our support is focused on recovery and promotion of well-being, with proactive intervention to prevent relapse, working in partnership with local services to provide integrated support.

We also provide emotional support and general counselling in life and social skills to prepare our service users for independent living, including developing positive and stable networks and relationships. We strive to increase access to education, training, employment, leisure, religious, and culturally specific services. Our aim is to provide a safe and secure environment for all service users, free from harassment and discrimination, to aid their recovery.

At the heart of our service is inclusion, encouraging full and active engagement in service delivery, support planning, key working, house meetings, workshops, policy training, recruitment, health and safety, and newsletter production. By building confidence and self-esteem within the safety of the service, our service users can achieve maximum control over their lives and participation in the wider community.

Our Services

We provide a comprehensive Support Plan and Risk Management Plan designed by the service user, with staff and with input from professional teams and families/carers. Each person has a nominated key worker, and our services include:

• Structured but flexible outcome-focussed support plans
• Emotional support and general counselling
• Preparation for independent living
• Access to education, training, employment, leisure, and culturally specific services
• A safe and secure environment

Our Team

Our team is stable, reliable, and committed, with all staff members CRB checked prior to employment and at subsequent intervals. Our staff members benefit from:

• A comprehensive induction procedure
• Regular supervision
• Annual appraisal
• An individual training development plan, combining formal NVQ training with regular training in areas such as mental health, safeguarding, health and safety, and first aid.

Service User Feedback

In our last satisfaction survey, our service users reported:

• 100% saw improved mental health
• 90% saw improved physical health
• 90% enjoyed ownership of their support plan and goals
• 95% reported improved life and daily living skills
• 80% reported improved financial budgeting skills
• 80% were managing their medication better
• 65% reported improved cooking skills
• 90% saw the potential for a move on to independent living
• 100% attended house meetings regularly

Some of the things service users liked most about our service included safety and security, peacefulness, mellowness, company of others, the facilities, freedom, space to relax, privacy, independence, and staff understanding of their problems and always being there to talk to.