Single Handed Care service

Who we are

We are a small team of Occupational Therapy staff. We have expertise in moving and positioning techniques and specialist equipment which may mean your care can be delivered by one carer instead of two. We provide a free-of-charge service to all residents of West Berkshire, including self-funders and people who get their care privately.

What Single Handed Care is, and why it is important

Singled Handed Care is a person-centred assessment of a person's moving and positioning needs. It aims to enable one carer to deliver their care. It:

• focuses on strengths by empowering the individual to do what they can for themselves
• provides a person-centred approach where the carer can focus on the individual
• allows family members or informal carers to be more involved or continue to deliver care if they want to
• promotes privacy and dignity
• improves quality of life
• reduces cost of care
• frees up our carers to help someone else in need

How to access the Single Handed Care service

Usually, the Adult Social Care Teams will make a referral to the Single Handed Care Service. You, or the person supporting you, will be made aware of the referral. You may be added to a waiting list until an Occupational Therapist is available to complete the assessment. Alternatively, you can refer yourself by contacting us directly using our email address and phone number.

What to expect during an assessment

Your Occupational Therapist will contact you or the person supporting you to arrange a suitable time to visit. There will likely be several visits to complete a detailed assessment. This may be completed together with your care agency, informal carer or relevant family members.

The assessment will look at:

• bed mobility - how you roll from side to side in the bed and reposition yourself
• transfers - how you get from bed to chair, toilet, wheelchair or commode
• personal care - how you get washed and dressed
• home environment - where you complete routines, the space available and equipment you use
• carer competency - the knowledge, skills and competency of your carers

Following this assessment, we may recommend:

• new moving and positioning techniques to maximise your independence
• new or specialist equipment which may mean your care can be delivered by one carer instead of two - we will try it out first to make sure it is suitable for you
• training for informal and formal carers in new techniques or equipment
• reviewing your Care Plan, looking at the content and length of your care visits and whether these are meeting your needs

What happens if your care is reduced

Following our assessment, if your care can be delivered by one carer then we will trial it. If successful , we'll agree a date for this to change with you, the person supporting you and your care agency.

All training and equipment will be provided, at no cost to you. It will be provided on a loan basis through equipment stores or, for specialist equipment, your Occupational Therapist will request funding via Adult Social Care. We'll then schedule a review about two weeks after the reduction in services.

Contact our team

You can email: singlehandedcare@westberks.gov.uk, or phone 01635 503050 and ask to speak to the Review Team.