Support

ARK Community Networks has been providing support to people who need help to live independently for over 25 years. We provide a range of supported living services throughout Scotland. Currently this is mainly for people with learning difficulties, however we also support people who have mental health issues and older people. Some live in ARK Housing Association properties but many live either in their own home or in other rented accommodation.

‘Nothing about me without me.’

Community Networks delivers support based on the needs and wishes of the person, that are identified by them and those closest to them. We endeavor to be able to demonstrate that everything we do is honest, fair and respectful. The person who receives the service is always at the center of the planning and decision making process.

It is our aim to do everything possible to facilitate the person to contribute to their support plan and for it to be in a form that they find accessible. We view support planning as a live, vibrant, ongoing dialogue. We use a method that makes sure we are always up to date with what is important for the person to be safe and healthy and what is important to them to lead a happy and varied life.

‘Loneliness is the most significant disability of our time.’

Community Networks also focuses on helping communities to share more space and time with the people that we support. People that use our service are very often at risk of being excluded or already suffer loneliness and isolation. Our staff use community connecting and development tools to encourage friendships, support employment and create opportunities for sharing interests.

We will also support those who use our service to become involved with local community planning and other activities where they can exercise their rights as full citizens.

‘Communicate to the other person that which you would want him to communicate to you if your positions were reversed.’

In ARK we have developed a culture of person centered management to ensure the best outcomes for the people who use our services. We want our staff to feel committed and proud to work with us. They must be competent, motivated and confident. Above all we want them to enjoy their work and reap the benefits of knowing they are doing a great job.

All our managers use person centered management practices that help us measure our performance against the service agreement and planning outcomes for each service user.