Intensively supported therapeutic housing service
Individuals referred to Pele Tower tend to act in a self-destructive way by cutting or taking overdoses and hence frequently present themselves to the statutory services, particularly GPs or A&E departments.
The trained staff team encourage service-users to develop healthier coping mechanisms, thus enabling them to contain their behaviours and talk about their feelings rather than acting them out. Reliance on other services is therefore reduced, as Pele Tower becomes a containing and safe environment.
A strong culture of respect is expected at all times. Racist, sexist, homophobic or bullying behaviours will not be tolerated. The community has a responsibility to the individual and likewise the individual has a responsibility to the community. There needs to be a commitment to participate in the daily timetable and community structure.
The staff team has an appropriate mix of professional qualifications including social care, psychotherapy and group analysis. Staff receive clinical supervision on a weekly basis external to the service.
The service is staffed from 9.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an on-call service available during the evening and at weekends for emergencies. This could be when service-users feel they cannot contain their urges to self-harm or when self-harm has occurred and advice is needed. It may also be used if there is a household emergency that requires urgent attention.
A member of staff is first on-call. There is also a second on-call to provide advice and support to the first on-call if needed. The second on-call also provides an emergency back up service in case the first on-call cannot be contacted. If staff are required to attend Pele Tower during the night, the first and second on-call will attend together.