Family life is important to us and the views of parents and family members are crucial to providing the best possible care to the individuals we support.

Blossom HCG strongly believe that people should have choice and control over their own health and care services; it is they who should make decisions about every aspect of their life. There is a need to ‘shift the balance of power’ away from more paternalistic services which are ‘doing to’ rather than ‘working with’ people, to a recognition that individuals, their families and carers are experts in their own lives and are able to make informed decisions about the support they receive. Any decisions about care and support should be in line with the Mental Capacity Act. People should be supported to make their own decisions and, for those who lack capacity, any decision must be made in their best interests involving them as much as possible and those who know them well.

Blossom HCG believe that People with a learning disability and/or autism should be supported to live in the community with support from and for their families/carers as well as paid support and care staff – with training made available for families/carers, support and respite for families/carers, alternative short term accommodation for people to use briefly in a time of crisis, and paid care and support staff trained and experienced in supporting people who display behaviour that challenges.