On my first day when I arrived at my care home, my carer from my old
home drove me here. I met my key worker and the manager. They
showed me around, I had a meeting with my social worker and I got to
know the place. I was feeling very scared, upset and a bit freaked out,
but after a bit I was fine because they were really friendly to me. They
helped me unpack my clothes and belongings then they gave me a tour
of the house. We also went to play football outside with staff. They took
me outside for cigarettes break and also encouraged me to quit smoking.
In the first month I met a lot of staff and the directors of the care home.
There were a lot of meetings and new things to get used to — like the
house and even the daily routine. We tried to sort out family contact, I
went on some activities and really got to know the staff. I struggled with
the change and got really angry— I remember I was too badly behaved to
go on activities or get into education and I kept breaking all my
belongings.
In my first 6 months I was getting worse with my behaviour because I didn’t want any help and I was always angry, but they didn’t give up on me
like the staff at the other home did. And that made a big difference. Also
staff helped me quit smoking so I could be fitter to do more sports.
After a year I’m now in college doing a Catering course three days week. I
plan my own meals on a weekly basis and sometimes I cook a meal for
the staff and I. I know how to use a washing machine and dryer and I am
ticking things off my ILP (Independent Living Plan). As a reward, I do a lot
of activities like horse riding and I even joined a boxing club. I see my
family every 1-2 months. I haven’t been restrained in the last year and I
get on really well with every member of staff. Now I class this as my
home and I really can’t think of anywhere I would rather
be.
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