Case study: the pioneering work of East Park

If you’re an occupational therapist, day centre assistant, social worker or childcare practitioner, s1jobs is where to find your next move. Every day there are exciting new vacancies in the childcare and social services sector.

Small_Social_1

None of these jobs are easy but they are all rewarding and they make a vital difference to people for whom life without a helping hand would be difficult.

Some people need more help than others, often from an early age, and one Glasgow institution has gained a reputation for developing the abilities of young people and providing exactly the sort of care they need.

East Park Home sits behind a high wall on Maryhill Road and its roots go back to 1874. But there’s nothing Victorian about its accommodation, teaching methods or ethos.

Instead its a pioneering place of excellence for young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder – accredited by the National Autistic Society, Quality Assured by CALM for several years running, and an SQA Approved Centre.

Over the past few years it’s undertaken a major building project, adding new classrooms and living areas to its schools and residences.

East Park has four high-spec, purpose-built houses. Each accommodates four or five young people in single occupancy bedrooms and their locations allow residents to live socially valued and fulfilling lives as part of the community, experiencing neighbourly relationships, and having full access to local community activities and resources.

East Park also provides an intensive support service, with two blocks of residential studio flats that provide a supported living environment.

Every resident at East Park has a key worker who acts as a designated link person co-ordinating all aspects of their care. The key worker supports the young person both on a day-to-day basis and in relation to the planning and reviewing process, to express their views and choices and to fully participate in all decisions that may affect their lives.

With the demands of an ageing population, the need to move patients from hospital to their own homes in order to free up beds, and a greater understanding of the potential of children with a whole range of learning difficulties, social services looks set to be one of the next decade’s most important employment sectors.

If you’d like to become involved, check out the new vacancies with s1jobs.