Links To Our Other Pages

THE PARKVIEW SOCIETY

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

2007-2008 ANNUAL REPORT

THE PARKVIEW SOCIETY

CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW - 2007/2008

In my second year as Chairman it has been a pleasure to preside over a year which has seen further positive developments for the Society. Although the market we operate in remains unstable, the financial results and organisational development of the Society during the last year has been very encouraging.

The next year will see the further integration of previously separate funding streams for social care, health and housing support. Fortunately the Society’s continued involvement in all three areas, means we are well placed to exploit opportunities that arise as a result of the changes ahead.

The commissioners of our services continue to drive for better quality at reduced cost. To date the Society has adapted to the challenge. Our financial performance for 2007/08 demonstrates our ability to respond to such pressures and the outcome was more positive than many of us anticipated earlier in the year.

During the year our service quality has been tested by external reviews and inspections, and has received excellent feedback, developing service delivery where new ideas and good advice has been received. Of course we value the views and feedback from our service users and we continue to listen and act upon their suggestions. We of course aim to deliver services to the highest standard at all times, but where we sometimes fail, we look to learn from experience and look to how we could improve for the future.

The make-up of our committee membership has continued to develop over the last year and it has been a privilege to oversee a group which represents such diverse interests, experience and knowledge. I thank my fellow members for their contributions throughout the year.

Through my Chairman’s visits, I have managed to meet many more of our staff, which has enhanced my admiration for their work and commitment. All our services are all geared towards people and thus our staff, the key resource, are greatly valued by the Society. Therefore, on behalf of the Management Committee, I have much pleasure in thanking them for all their efforts throughout this year.

Residents at College House ready for a day at Newton Abbot races.

Roy Hancock MBE – Chairman

MISSION STA TEMENT

The Parkview Society, a voluntary organisation, is a provider of high quality residential care and supported living in the community.

The Parkview Society, through a caring, motivated and appropriately trained staff team, tailors its services to suit the needs of individuals with mental health issues, learning difficulties, housing difficulties or other vulnerability issues.

The Parkview Society respects individual rights to privacy, autonomy and independence, seeking to develop and maximize potential in a safe, secure and homely environment.

BACKGROUND

Since the 1980’s there has been considerable growth in the services provided by the Society. There are now schemes in South, Mid and East Devon comprising residential care, group homes, individual flats, houses as well as a large amount of ‘outreach’ work for people in their own homes. We manage over 80 units of accommodation in registered homes and supported housing. Our visiting services in Torbay and Teignbridge support over 300 other clients. Some 70 people are employed and the turnover is over £1.6 million per year.

At present there are 10 members of the Management Committee headed by the Chairman, Roy Hancock MBE. Our other members are Dennis White (Vice Chair), Diane Yates (Chair of Finance & Operations Sub-Committee), John Murch, Cliff Jones, Jackie Lamont, Terry Nickels, Shelagh Bacchus, Adrian Kendal and Richard Bennett.

Management Structure

Committee of Management

Chair Roy Hancock MBE

Chief Officer Graham Pollock

Wayne Osbond Gary Wall Sarah Carcillo Beverley Robinson

Learning Torbay Exeter & East Devon Community

Disabilities Mental Health Mental Health Services

Sector Manager Sector Manager Sector Manager Co-ordinator

Legal Status

The Parkview Society is a non-profit making Friendly Society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 with charitable rules. It is legally responsible to the FSA to whom annual audited accounts are made and is also accountable to Housing Associations as a managing agent.

The role of our members

Membership provides the opportunity to influence and steer the provision of housing, support and care to vulnerable groups in the community. Members have the opportunity to visit our schemes, meet our staff and residents, and guide the development of the Society. Members are bound by principles of membership and relevant rules.

The Management Committee is made up of members of the Society and its main responsibility is to maintain a long-term overview of the Society and all its work. Of course the Society employs a team of managers and staff to whom the majority of day-to-day responsibility for work is delegated. This is managed under the direction of the Chief Officer and the Society’s policies and procedures.

OUR SERVICES AND THEIR UNDERPINNING VALUES.

Our aim is to provide a high quality service. All staff strive to maintain the highest standards and are proud of the work they carry out. This means attempting to aim for excellence in the service we provide for residents and clients.

The Parkview Society values its entire workforce and recognises that a high quality service will only be achieved by a caring, supportive, motivated and appropriately trained workforce who are given all the necessary support and direction to achieve this aim.

We aim to promote equality of opportunity for everyone by promoting practices and policies, which are non-discriminatory. All staff have a role to play in ensuring impartiality both towards their colleagues and the people for whom we provide a service.

Residential Homes and Supported Housing for People with Mental Health Problems

The Society manages a total of 3 schemes for the above client group, in Torquay, Honiton and Exeter. Each of these residential schemes supports a number of other clients who live in flats, houses and shared housing in areas around the residential homes.

Our residential homes are staffed 24 hours a day by experienced staff who undergo continuous training. Staff at each home practice a user and needs led support role with emphasis on enabling and empowering service users. We view our homes as a positive bridge from hospital or crisis into independent living.

Service users are supported in communicating and engaging with organisations and people within the community to promote opportunities to function, participate and develop in society. Promoting opportunities for service users to use their own strengths and expertise to enable them to meet responsibilities, secure rights and achieve change, is a positive feature of life at all our homes.

Service users work in partnership with staff and other services to assess and review circumstances and plan responses to need and risk. Choice, at all our homes, is encouraged through user involvement and person centered care within a safe environment.

Castle Road - Torquay

Castle Road is a 13 bed residential home managed by the Parkview Society, Devon & Cornwall Housing Association own the building. The home is within 5 minutes walk of Torquay town centre and has good access to local public transport, sports, leisure and educational facilities. We actively support and encourage individuals to access as many of these facilities as they wish.

All residents have a key to their own room and are encouraged to personalise their rooms if they wish. Residents are free to come and go as they please, with reassurance that appropriate support staff are on hand at all times. The house has a games room and residents are also able to enjoy a large garden and encouragement is given to those who wish to participate in its upkeep.

During the last year, internal refurbishment at the home has continued. There has been a change in both staff and residents and we have said goodbye to some familiar faces. However new staff and residents bring new ideas and activities to the house. The team continues a proven track record of moving residents on to greater independence. The scheme has positive working relationships with local Health and Social Services teams and look positively on requests for service development. The Castle Road team also manage supported housing schemes in Torbay and Newton Abbot. The majority of these are owned by Devon & Cornwall Housing Association.

New Mill House - Honiton

New Mill is managed by the Parkview Society, Signpost Care Housing Association own the building. New Mill is a six-bedded home. The home is a two-storey building, situated in central

Honiton, within easy walking distance of the town and local amenities. We actively support individuals to access as many local services as they want. Like all our homes, New Mill is constantly monitored by external agencies, such as, CSCI, the Housing Association who own the property and the local CMHT. The New Mill House team also manages a range of supported housing schemes that are owned by Devon & Cornwall Housing Association. Over 20 residents have been accommodated over the year, with majority returning to greater independent living.

Pennhaven - Exeter

Pennhaven is managed by the Parkview Society, Devon & Cornwall Housing Association own the building. Pennhaven is an eight-bedded residential home.

The home is a three storey building, situated in central Exeter, within easy walking distance of the city centre and local amenities. We actively support individuals to access as many of these facilities as they feel they want, as well as organising in-house activities. A supported housing scheme at Culverland Road, Exeter, is also managed by the Pennhaven team.

Staffing has been reasonably stable, with recent appointments settling in well and bringing new ideas. There have been some changes within the client group, people have moved on to more independent accommodation, and new people have moved in.

Residential Services for Adults with a Learning Disability

College House – Newton Abbot

The purpose of College House is to provide 24-hour housing care and support for a maximum of 12 residents with learning disabilities. The College House management team also oversees the management of our one-bedded residential home in Torquay.

George celebrates his birthday at College House

We plan outings and activities with the residents as part of the development of a homely environment. The team is presently looking for new referrals. Over the last year the revised staff team at Empire Road has worked extremely well together to ensure consistent care and support is available to David.

Community Support Services

Recognizing the need in the community, we have been developing the support we provide to

enable more people with mental health problems, housing problems, learning disabilities or other vulnerable clients to live independently in the community. Services are provided across South Devon.

Our Community Support Service is individually tailored to assist those requiring additional help in living in their own homes. Based on our experience we offer a range of support to individuals including assistance with accessing services, personal and financial organisation, socialization, travel and recreational activities.

One of our service-users take the plunge in charity abseil in Torquay

During 2007/08, this service has expanded to working with over 250 clients and works in partnership with local councils, mental health services and adult social services.

FUNDING

The financial base of the organisation remains strong with reasonable capital reserves and an asset base including property (College House, Walnut Road, Empire Road), vehicles (15 in total), furniture and equipment (at all schemes and office accommodation). The Society’s services are funded in a variety of ways including Social Services Contracts, Supporting People Contracts, Rents/Fees and Health Authority Grants etc.

During 2007/08 the Society made a surplus of over £60K. As a whole the management team worked hard to improve previous levels of performance and exploited some limited opportunities to develop new services.

Key financial indicators from 2007/08 accounts.

Summary Balance Sheet	2008	2007	Income & Expenditure	2008	2007
	£	£		£	£
Fixed Assets	337,213	330,711
(net of grants)
Debtors	62,843	140,475	Total Income	1662225	1538385
Creditors (< 1year)	111,058	86,744
Creditors (> 1year)	42,333	47,935	Total Expenses	1609023	1551557
Net Current Assets	385,545	330,815	Interest & Sundry Income	13632	9527
			Net surplus (deficit)	66834	(3645)
Net Assets	680,425	613591
Designated Reserves	480,689	474187

Society’s Funds	680,425	613591

The Society has secured better value for money from its deposited funds, as a result of the development of its Reserves Policy. Sufficient funds are set aside to allow for capital expenditure on repairs and renewals to the Society’s asset base.

The Society strives towards setting aside a reasonable free reserve in order to be able to ensure there are sufficient funds available to sustain overall service delivery, in circumstances where an individual service may be subject to change.

The year ahead again represents a significant challenge for the Society. Some Supporting People and other income streams remain frozen at previous year’s levels. Other income streams are not increasing in line with the additional staffing and overhead costs impacting on the Society. Judgments will need to be made about how specified service requirements and quality standards can be maintained with reduced income. The Society’s philosophy and practice on enabling and moving clients on from residential care is in line with commissioners targets, but now leaves us exposed to greater financial risks.

As would be expected in such a labour intensive organization, 70% of the Society’s operating expenditure is staffing costs, leaving limited scope for cost savings in other areas.

The way future services are to be commissioned is changing radically with increased use of competitive tendering, short-term contracts and detailed performance outcome targets.

The Society will have to work extremely hard to retain its existing contracts let alone be in a position to obtain new contracts.

The Parkview Society

35A Highweek Village

Highweek

Newton Abbot

TQ12 1QG

Tel/Fax 01626 332630

www.parkviewsociety.org.uk

email@parkviewsociety.org.uk