Building Bridges to a Good Life: A review of asset based working with people with learning disabilities Di McNeish & Sara Scott di@dmss.co.uk

Purpose of the review Define what asset based working means Find out whether it’s relevant for people with learning disabilities Describe the range of asset based working across Scotland and provide some examples Find out what difference this kind of working makes for people with learning disabilities – and for other people in their communities Make some recommendations for policy and practice

Policy Context ‘Keys to Life’ makes it clear that people with learning disabilities should have choice, control and independence More self-directed care means looking at what people want to do and draw on their assets and resources The Community Empowerment Act says communities should have more say and control Less money and cuts in services means doing things differently

Asset based working…. Identifies and emphasises strengths and assets of individuals and communities Highlights the potential of people and communities Fully involves people and communities as co-producers rather than passive recipients Promotes community networks and relationships that can provide mutual support and empowerment Supports people’s personal resources – their knowledge, coping strategies, resilience skills Empowers people to create and control resources (including buildings, funds etc) Adapted from principles – Foot & Hopkins, 2010

Not a single model but a way of working Has its origins in community development – place-based approaches to mobilise the assets of neighbourhoods Based around values and principles Can encompass a spectrum of activities Can be supported by a range of tools and techniques such as asset mapping, appreciative inquiry Lots in common with approaches not necessarily termed ‘asset based’ e.g. personalisation, advocacy, local area co-ordination – and some ‘older’ terms like participation, empowerment

Person Worker or volunteer Hobbyist, creative, socialite Consumer Community member Citizen/political activist

Examples …. Wee Enterprizers Tayberry Cantraybridge The Advocacy Project C-Change – Dates n Mates Highland Health & Happiness And many more….

Approaches that are more asset based: Usually take place in mainstream settings and include people with a range of abilities Derive from the interests & wishes of the people involved Are decided and planned by people themselves Give opportunities for people to develop Offer opportunities to share learning with each other Have activities which are satisfying in themselves and also increase social networks, build confidence and acquire transferable skills

Example of asset based values from Neighbourhood Networks We believe that:   Everyone is different and we should all be respected and encouraged to be "All we can be" Everyone should be encouraged to strive towards their dreams and goals There should be a healthy balance between responsibility and having time to enjoy life   Sharing skills and gifts makes us stronger and giving and receiving support is important to help us grow We can all be involved in making where we live, work and socialise a better place We feel safer when we have positive, equal relationships with others and this is important to feeling we belong

Barriers to asset based approaches Attitudes and habits which focus on deficits Risk aversion/protectiveness Time Assessment, planning & funding systems based on what people can’t do Vested interests – making money

Asset based working with people with learning disabilities Should mean working alongside people to co-produce the activities that will promote their wellbeing Should mean that community initiatives actively involve people Should create the conditions for people to participate – including recognising and responding to their support needs Should mean that people are visible as active participants at all levels from personal choice as individuals through to being members of their communities through to being citizens of Scotland So lots of ‘shoulds’ – to what extent is this happening?

Evidence We still don’t know very much about the difference asset based working makes Few descriptions of asset based approaches in learning disability Little recording of who participates in community development initiatives Very little on ‘what works’ Does this matter?

Issues and challenges Talks a lot about communities – but everyone in the community isn’t the same, and they’re not always treated equally. This can get ignored. Just looking at peoples’ assets and strengths can ignore issues of unfairness and deprivation. Sometimes it’s what’s wrong or unfair which brings people together to change things. Using the assets of the community to support people can be used as a cheap alternative to properly funded services

For discussion How do you take an asset based approach and not ignore injustice and inequality? How can place based initiatives ensure they include people with learning disabilities? How can we get better evidence for showing benefits of asset based approaches?