We understand that the decision to move a loved one into a care home or supported living is significant, and families and legal representatives (such as deputies or attorneys) will have many questions. Karuna Care London welcomes and encourages the involvement of families and resident representatives at every stage of the referral and placement process. Below is important information on how you can be involved and what to expect:
Being Involved in the Referral Process
In most cases where the placement is local authority-funded, the initial referral will be made by a social worker or care manager. However, as a family member or representative, you play a vital role in supporting your loved one through this process. We encourage you to participate in discussions and visits from the outset. With the permission of the person being referred, you can join meetings or assessment visits to our home. Your perspective and knowledge about your loved one are invaluable – you can share details about their personality, routines, and preferences that might not be immediately obvious from formal assessment reports. If you’re initiating the search for care (for example, if your family member is self-funded or you are exploring options on their behalf), you can contact us directly for information. We will guide you on how to involve the local authority for an assessment or how to proceed with placement if you already have the necessary assessments done. Our team is happy to explain the referral steps and help coordinate with social services so that everyone is on the same page.
Role in Decision-Making
We firmly believe that care decisions should be person-centred, with the individual’s wishes at the heart of any move. That said, families and representatives often provide essential support in making these decisions. Once our assessment is complete, if we are able to offer a placement, the decision to accept that offer will involve the prospective resident and often their family. We invite you to be present when we communicate the details of the placement offer – including the care plan, the services we will provide, and any house rules or terms. You can help your loved one understand the implications and comfort them in making the transition. If the individual lacks capacity to make certain decisions, we will work within legal frameworks (such as Best Interest decisions under the Mental Capacity Act) and involve you as a consultee or decision-maker if you hold the appropriate authority. Rest assured, we keep families informed at every juncture: you will be notified when a referral is received (as long as we have consent to do so), updated on assessment progress, and informed promptly of the outcome. We see families as partners in this process – your questions and concerns will always be taken seriously, and we will do our best to address them so that you feel confident in the placement plan.
Visiting Arrangements
Maintaining family bonds and friendships is crucial for the well-being of our residents. Karuna Care London will have an open and welcoming visitation policy. Generally, families and close friends will be able to visit their loved one regularly – we anticipate offering flexible visiting hours (for example, visitors will be welcome daily, typically with only minimal restrictions to respect meal times or routine care activities). Upon admission, we will discuss our visiting guidelines with you, including any sign-in procedures for security and any health & safety measures (such as infection control protocols if relevant). We aim to accommodate family visits as much as possible, including facilitating virtual visits (video calls) if you cannot come in person. During the initial settling-in period, we usually encourage more frequent short visits, as familiar faces can help a new resident adjust to their new home. Over time, you can establish a visiting routine that suits both the resident and your own schedule. We also invite families to join us for special events, celebrations, or outings when possible, as these shared moments greatly enrich our residents’ lives.
Resident Engagement and Family Communication
After placement, our commitment to involving families continues. Each resident will be assigned a keyworker – a dedicated staff member who will be your main point of contact for day-to-day matters. The keyworker will know your loved one well and can update you on their daily experiences, progress, or any concerns. We encourage you to communicate with the keyworker or management anytime you have a question. Karuna Care London will provide regular updates on your relative’s well-being. This may include scheduled care review meetings (for example, at 6 weeks post-admission and then every few months or annually, as required by the care plan), where we invite you and the social worker to discuss how things are going and make any needed adjustments. We also make a point to inform you immediately of any significant changes in health or incidents, no matter how small, so there are no surprises. Additionally, your loved one’s care plan will be accessible for you to review (with the resident’s consent), and we welcome your input on it even after admission – you might notice changes or have new insights that can help us refine their support. By keeping an open dialogue and fostering a trusting relationship with families and representatives, we ensure that each resident’s support network remains involved and that the care we provide is truly family-centred as well as person-centred.