The team, based in Oxfordshire at The Slade, work as part of the specialist services with the Learning Disability Service. The Intensive Support Team (IST) provides a holistic approach, utilising trauma-informed care, to support adults and children with complex needs through difficult times in their lives.

The team is a multidisciplinary team, promoting person centred individualised care and multi-agency joint working, ensuring everyone’s voices are heard. One of the aims of the team is to support the prevention of placement breakdown and the use of restrictive practice in other services, to support the safety of the individuals and others.

The team accommodate observations and assessments out of regular office hours to understand the functions of behaviour that challenges and the potential barriers and contributors to the situation, alongside its impacts on the wellbeing of the individual and their support network.

They support children and adults during difficult period of their lives, preventing placement breakdowns and hospital admissions, due to their challenging behaviours. They navigate complex systems around the individuals, ensuring the individual is at the centre of the input they are receiving. Individuals have been able to remain home and in county with their families, with improved quality of life and reduced behaviours of concern.

The team also offers support to colleagues outside of the team regarding behaviours that challenges others, with individuals that are not open to the team, along with those who are actively open.

Trust Chair David Walker said:

“The Oxfordshire Intensive Support Team care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, providing invaluable support to keep patients close to loved ones and look after their wellbeing. I am really pleased to recognise this team for their compassion and commitment”.

Team Manager Muntaha Pocha commented:

“We’re incredibly proud and grateful to receive this award, which recognises the dedication and compassion our team brings each day to support adults and children with learning disabilities. This award not only celebrates the hard work that we put in, but also highlights the positive changes we see in the lives of the people we work with.

“We feel honoured that our efforts in addressing challenging behaviours, creating supportive environments, and building essential skills are being acknowledged. This award shines a light on the impact of our work, and we couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate our team’s achievements.”

The nomination

The Oxfordshire Intensive Support Team were nominated by Behavioural Charge Nurse Natalie Kensett for their dedication and compassion towards patients.

Natalie commented:

“This team goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the adults and children with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism, to prevent placement breakdown, improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions for behaviours of concern.

“The team liaises with multiple professionals across different services, ensuring good communication and that the client is at the centre of the care.

“The team helps navigate the systems around the individual and provides support to the individuals support network. The team adapts their working hours to suit the individuals needs and are flexible where required.”