September 24, 2003
Rivendell is an innovative residential resource, which was set up by Quarriers, Scotland's leading care charity, in April 2001 in response to the needs of a group of children with learning disabilities and complex/challenging behavioural needs. It was designed to provide a local, community based alternative to residential schools with the emphasis is on one-to-one care made possible by the small number of places at the unit.
Rivendell's function allows children to maintain contact with their families and local communities. The unit receives no core or grant funding, but receives direct payment for the service from the local authorities.
Mary O'Brien is the project manager at Rivendell and was appointed by Quarriers to set up the unit in March 2001. When Mary arrived at Rivendell she was new to Quarriers, her background is nursing - child psychiatry - and she previously worked in a Residential School for Children with Disabilities and as a Care Manager in Social Work. As this was a brand new project for Quarriers, Mary was not only there to be the project manager of the new unit but she was project managing the refurbishment of Rivendell.
Mary explained: "When I started my new post with Quarriers at the Rivendell project my role included dealing with the refurbishment of the building, buying furniture, staffing the project and establishing the systems and procedures that were to dictate practice."
The key elements to Mary's role are ensuring high standards of practice and service delivery within the legal, policy and organisational framework. This means providing leadership and support to the highly committed staff team of up to 30 full-time, part time and relief staff. Mary also has to ensure that the children and families receive high quality service that meets their complex needs, encourages participation in the community and social and emotional development.
Mary said: "The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that the unit has made a real difference to both children and their families. It provides an alternative home environment for children who are unable to be cared for at home due to the nature of their learning disabilities and complex or challenging behaviour needs."
She continued: "The job is also hugely rewarding in terms of the degree of ownership that you have as a Project Manager for your own project. Although you have a requirement to work within legal, policy and organisational guidelines you have enormous scope and freedom to develop the project. A high level of commitment and responsibility is demanded but you are rewarded, by knowing that you have made a difference. You certainly never have to wonder why you should get up in the morning! There is a great variety and flexibility within the job which means that no two days are ever the same - it is certainly never boring!"
Liasing and communicating with families, social workers, health and education services and local community resources are also part of Mary's role at Rivendell and as part of Quarriers organisation she has an opportunity to participate in developing organisational policy and practice. Mary benefits from the fact that Quarriers has a commitment to the training and development of all its staff. Mary has also been given the opportunity to be part of a group of PROACT SCIP UK Instructors and teach behaviour support and crisis intervention strategies to staff.
Quarriers was established in 1871 at Bridge of Weir and it now provides services from around 80 bases in west-central and north-east Scotland, and has recently expanded its services into England. Quarriers staff supports many hundreds of children, disadvantaged young people, families and adults who have disabilities. Quarriers is Scotland's third largest care charity.
ENDS
This information issued on behalf of Quarriers, by Eleanor Seel, Tel: 0131 718 6022
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