Maximising Independence Service
The Maximising Independence Service (MIS) provides short‑term support to help adults build confidence, develop daily living skills and live more independently.
The service is part of Adult Social Care and focuses on early help to improve everyday life and wellbeing. Support is strengths‑based and built around what matters to each person, helping them achieve clear, short‑term goals.
What the service helps with
The service helps people to:
- build confidence and daily living skills, including learning new skills or improving existing ones
- set and work towards short‑term goals
- become more independent at home and in the community
- access information, advice and guidance alongside short‑term practical support
The aim is to help people do as much as possible for themselves, with the right support at the right time.
Who provides the support
Different teams provide short‑term, early‑intervention support depending on a person’s needs.
Reablement teams
Reablement teams provide short‑term support at home to help people regain independence, often after a hospital stay.
Referrals usually come from hospitals after discharge or from the community through the Customer Service Centre.
Enablement teams
Enablement teams provide short‑term support to help people live independently at home. This can include:
- guidance for carers
- support to build independence
- equipment and home adaptations
- assistive technology
Community Development team
Community Development Workers help people to:
- connect with local community groups
- access support and activities
- improve independence and quality of life
I-Work team
Employment Inclusion Specialists support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to move towards employment. They help people to:
- prepare for work
- find employment
- stay in work through ongoing support
Our objectives
We aim to:
- increase independence and confidence by focusing on people’s strengths, with professional guidance where needed
- provide the right support and information at the right time
- offer early support to reduce the need for ongoing care and improve wellbeing
- support safe and timely returns home after hospital stays and reduce the risk of readmission
- deliver a joined‑up, efficient service with fewer handovers between teams
Contact the Maximising Independence Service
To ask about the Maximising Independence Service or make a referral, contact the Customer Service Centre.
Real stories of building independence
These videos show how people have used the Maximising Independence Service (previously the Notts Enabling Service) to build confidence and live more independently.
Maximising Independence Service: supporting people to live independently
This 2‑minute video shows how the Maximising Independence Service supports people to build skills, confidence and independence.
Shane’s story: building confidence and independence
This 1‑minute video shows how support from the Maximising Independence Service helped Shane build confidence, develop everyday life skills and travel independently.
Bill’s story: returning to independent living
This 1‑minute video shows how support from the Maximising Independence Service helped Bill return to independent living after many years in a care home.
Emma’s story: building confidence through cooking skills
This 1‑minute video shows how the Maximising Independence Service helped Emma build confidence and independence through learning cooking skills.
Ash’s story: rebuilding confidence after a stroke
This 1‑minute video shows how support from the Maximising Independence Service helped Ash rebuild confidence, return to activities he enjoys, and move towards independent living after a stroke.
