People who are described as having a learning disability are individuals with the same human value and rights as everyone else.

The purpose of Cambuslodge is to enable people with a learning disability to improve the quality of their lives.

 Cambuslodge defines “quality of life” as being:

• •  The opportunity and support to gain new skills by building on the strengths (competencies) already achieved by each individual.

  • The opportunity and support for people to develop relationships with the community in which they live and establish themselves as valued and contributory members of their community.

  • The opportunity, the support and the power to make real and informed choices about how they live their life.

  • The opportunity for people to become aware of their own personal value and achieve positive recognition, self-respect from others.

  • The opportunity and support to form valued relationships with friends, neighbours, relatives and people who work for them.

 Cambuslodge works to achieve this purpose by: 

• • • The provision of a range of services to people with a learning disability.

    • Advocacy on behalf of people with learning disabilities when their quality of life is threatened.

    • Seeking to build relationships with local government, health authorities and the community through which the interests and needs of people with learning disabilities can be promoted.

Cambuslodge aims to provide high quality, cost effective residential care and support to people with a learning disability to achieve greater equality of opportunity. Cambuslodge caters for people with mild learning disabilities.  The staff ratio is such that 1 member of staff is on duty at night, i.e., sleep in.

The residents are encouraged to make their own decisions and choices in regards to how the service is run. This includes, for example, decoration and furnishings.

The residents are actively encouraged to register with the general practitioner, dentist and other primary care providers as well as health and social services. Each resident will be appointed a designated key worker who will support the co-ordination of activities, services, experiences and care plans. 

Cambuslodge has established an equality and diversity policy. The staff work as a team in an efficient and effective way.  The group is aware of the objectives and each individual works as a team member in achieving those objectives.  There is a good working relationship in the home with staff supporting each other.  The form of organisation is participatory and the manager is willing to delegate to staff in order to improve their confidence and development.  The home has established an equal opportunity policy, which ensures that there is no discrimination towards residents or staff.

In relation to the residents, a key working system has been implemented which means that each resident has one member of staff specially allocated to him or her.  The key worker has the responsibility of devising the P.C.P. in conjunction with the key client and for ensuring that this plan is followed and any necessary changes are made.  The key worker can also act as an advocate for their key client when necessary as well as maintaining contact with any relevant people and regularly review the key clients’ development.

Holidays are also arranged either annually or bi-annually.  In the past, holidaying has taken place in Spain, U.S.A., Jamaica, Greece, Turkey, and Ireland as well as on the mainland.