(see also Customer Guide)

1 - Statement of Purpose

Wigan Link is a family led group committed to providing a quality service for people living in Wigan and surrounding areas.   The individuals themselves are paramount to this philisophy as it is their wishes and expectations that are adhered to

Wigan Link in pursuance of this aim will provide supports in the community, for people who have been described as having “learning disabilities” who wish to live in a home of their own.  In order to fulfil this aim, people will be enabled to accomplish this with whatever levels of support they as individuals may require.

Wigan Link has a management group made up of parents with sons/daughters described as people who have “learning disabilities”, working with other parents, along with advisors from the Local and Health Authorities.  We also have on the management group individuals described as having disabilities.

OUR PHILOSOPHY IS.........................

The basic approach adopted by all those involved with the organisation is based on an established values framework, aimed at creating environments within an individual’s own community that are not only accepting and welcoming, but also empowering.

2 - Aims and Objectives:

The aims of the organisation are:

1) To find appropriate ordinary accommodation and/or opportunities for people within their own local communities, and to ensure that each person is supported according to their own needs and preferences.

2) To provide continuing training and development with a view to independent living with support wherever this is required.

3) To provide opportunities for people to be fully involved within their own communities.

4) To provide opportunities for individuals that are engaged in the transition period aged 16 - 18.

Wigan Link believe that people described as having learning disabilities have a right to:

Pursue full, active lives in their own communities.
Rent, or own their own homes in their own right if they wish to do so.
Exercise as much choice and control as possible over how they live their lives.
Have the level of support needed to live comfortably and securely.

This core system of valuing people is central to the common regard shared by the organisation in relation to the value placed on human life, and the dignity of another human being’s identity. This philosophy is concerned  primarily with systems that can demonstrate an unconditional positive regard for human life.

3 - Organisational Background:

Wigan Link is A Not-For-Profit Company Limited by Guarantee, and are Registered as a Charity.

Wigan Link fully supports the principle of ‘Ordinary Everyday Lives’, in whatever form this may be represented.

Wigan Link will at all times endeavour to provide a quality service.

Wigan Link is based at:

Registered Office

Hindley Business Centre Platt Lane Hindley, Wigan. WN2 3PA

Company Ltd by Guarantee No:2894707

Charity No:1042791

Tel:01942-202054 / Fax:01942-732596

Registered Manager:  (Changes role to Continuity and Diversity July 2012)

Norman Welch Cert Ed. M. Ed.
Level 4 NVQ and Registered Managers Award. A1 Assessors. V1 Internal Verifier Award.
24 years experience of Supported Living.

Tel:01942-202054 / 07711-250237

email:norman@wiganlink.co.uk

Deputy Manager:   (Changes role to Operations Manager July 2012)

Rachael McDonald

Level 4 NVQ and Registered Managers Award. A1 Assessor. V1 Internal Verifier Award.

10 years experience of Supported Living.

Tel:01942-731245

email:rachael@wiganlink.co.uk

Senior Locality Co-ordinator:

Sarah McDonald

Level 4 NVQ and A1 Assessors

5 years experience of Supported Living

Tel:01942-209308

email:sarah@wiganlink.co.uk

Senior Locality Co-ordinator: 

Louise Kelly

Level 4 NVQ and A1 Assessors.

5 years experience of Supported Living.

Tel:01942-209308

email:louise@wiganlink.co.uk

Senior Support Workers:

We have 15 Senior Support Workers all with Level 4 NVQ, six with the Registered Manager Qualification, and four with their A1 Assessors Award.

Support Team:

Each team member will be expected to have at least:

Level 2-3 NVQ in Care, and will also have covered First Aid, Basic Food Hygiene, Health and Safety & Moving and Handling.  Plus any specific training (see Continuing Development) relevant to the individual being supported.

Wigan Link is also registered with the Criminal Records Bureau, and all team members are required to have a clear Enhanced Check.

4 - Complaints Procedure for people who use the service

• Wigan Link fully recognises the particular difficulties that people with “learning  isabilities” can have, in expressing dissatisfaction about their service.  The organisation therefore will not put the onus for making a complaint, onto any individual who uses the service.  If Wigan Link team members ever feel that an individual is unhappy with a decision that has been made about them, or any other aspect of their service, Wigan Link will undertake to enlist the help of an independent advocate, who will speak for the person, or assist them to speak up for themselves.
  
  
• This independent person may be a representative of an advocacy organisation, a professional working for another agency, a family member or friend.
  
  
• The advocate should not, however, be anyone that was closely involved in the original matter, which is under dispute.
  
  
• If the matter which is under dispute is taken to committee level, and if the person using the service is a relative of one of the committee members, the committee member shall not be included in the investigating sub group.
  
  
• This allows committee members the freedom to act solely on behalf of their relatives, without the need to weigh the effect of their actions on paid members of the project.  However, it puts an added burden on the remainder of the committee, to reach a decision which is fair and as impartial as possible.  It also requires the trust of both parties in this impartiality, which is why the resumption of the committee membership is of great importance.
  
  

• With a final option being the Ombudsman. 

5 - Additional Organisational Information

Wigan Link also supports the following principles and ideologies:

1. Positive Social Role.

People recognised as having a role that is valuing to them  and being accepted.

2. Five Service Accomplishments.

Presence.  People living and interacting within their own community.

Participation.  People not only having a presence in the community but also taking part.

Choice.  People making choices for themselves, where to live, who to live with, where to work, leisure activities and what friends to have.

Developing Abilities.  This is about the personal development of each person.

Relationships.  People forming relationships based on positive regard and acceptance of others and self.

The practice of Essential Lifestyle Planning, and Person Centred Supports.

Wigan Link accepts as a fundamental framework for quality, the five principles from the North West Regions Document ‘A Model District Service’.

1. Services should be local and comprehensive.
   
2. Services should be designed in accordance with ordinary everyday expectations.
   
3. Services should be designed to meet the needs of each person in the most appropriate and effective way.
   
4. People who use services must be represented in service planning e.g., by the person, parents, guardians, carers, advocates.
   
5. Planners must consider alternative patterns of service not dependent on the use of ‘special buildings.

Customer Guide   Back to top

1 - Statement of Purpose

Wigan Link is a parent led group committed to providing a quality service for people living in Wigan and surrounding areas.

Wigan Link in pursuance of this aim will provide supports in the community, for people who have been described as having “learning disabilities” who wish to live in a home of their own.  In order to fulfil this aim, people will be enabled to accomplish this with whatever levels of support they as individuals may require.

Wigan Link has a management group made up of parents with sons/daughters described as people who have “learning disabilities”, working with other parents, along with advisors from the Local and Health Authorities.  We also have on the management group individuals described as having disabilities.

OUR PHILOSOPHY IS.........................

The basic approach adopted by all those involved with the organisation is based on an established values framework, aimed at creating environments within an individual’s own community that are not only accepting and welcoming, but also empowering.

2 - Terms and Conditions:

Appropriate funding will be sought from relevant bodies for all services provided:

• Local Authority.
• Health Authority.
• Independent Living Fund.
• PCT - Continuing Health Care
• Individuals will not be responsible for Direct Service Costs to Wigan Link. 

3 - Complaints Procedure for people who use the service:

Wigan Link fully recognises the particular difficulties that people with “learning disabilities” can have, in expressing dissatisfaction about their service.  The organisation therefore will not put the onus for making a complaint, onto any individual who uses the service.  If Wigan Link team members ever feel that an individual is unhappy with a decision that has been made about them, or any other aspect of their service, Wigan Link will undertake to enlist the help of an independent advocate, who will speak for the person, or assist them to speak up for themselves.

This independent person may be a representative of an advocacy organisation, a professional working for another agency, a family member or friend.

The advocate should not, however, be anyone that was closely involved in the original matter, which is under dispute.

If the matter which is under dispute is taken to committee level, and if the person using the service is a relative of one of the committee members, the committee member shall not be included in the investigating sub group.

This allows committee members the freedom to act solely on behalf of their relatives, without the need to weigh the effect of their actions on paid members of the project.  However, it puts an added burden on the remainder of the committee, to reach a decision which is fair and as impartial as possible.  It also requires the trust of both parties in this impartiality, which is why the resumption of the committee membership is of great importance.