Attracting Partnership Working and Buy in from other Agencies Brian Robson – WYFRS Andrew Jones – Bradford MD Council

Why Work in Partnership – Gaps Government agendas focussed on prevention and working in partnership to improve services Vulnerable people known to other agencies still dying in accidental dwelling fires People at risk of fire often have other risk factors Agencies focus on particular aspects of safety and may miss key risk indicators ‘One-Size-Fits All’ approach to delivery of fire safety messages not effective Little understanding by Partners of shared priorities around the fire safety agenda Clear that services already involved in delivering support to older people need to work in a more joined up and co-ordinated way to ensure that the most vulnerable members of the community can access help and assistance through early intervention. Fire safety risk assessment often not part of the risk assessment carried out by other organisations. Organisations, including WYFRS, traditionally gone into partnership with the view of “what can you do to help our agenda”, rather than “how can we help each other”. WYFRS delivery of fire safety awareness and education was not done in a targeted way, appropriate to the audience. This meant that some vulnerable groups were not as receptive to the messages because of their need for a more specialist approach. A key stumbling block to successful partnership working was a lack of understanding within WYFRS and other organisations of shared priorities and how best to achieve them. This was exacerbated by an organisational structure that by necessity moves its officers at regular and frequent intervals, so the continuity which is needed to build effective partnerships was difficult.

Bradford and its older citizens 4th largest Met. Urban and rural Nearly 500,000 150,000 aged 50+ Growth of 85+ Diversity Aspirations and skills Health inequalities and deprivation

Bradford Older People’s Partnership Broad based Strong representation of older people (BOPA) Their “Critical Issues” Vision, strategy, leadership From engagement to action to outcomes A common goal, resources, “OP specialists”, creative, time, delivery, trust

Opportunities - a Targeted Approach WYFRS core partner in delivery of LAA targets - seat on Older People’s Board Numbers of fire fatalities and injuries in Bradford’s older population a concern Older People’s Fire Safety Co-ordinator funded through NRF Worked at a strategic level across the District to research risk factors Engaged with agencies, voluntary sector and older people to develop creative methods to address risks Target in the LAA to reduce accidental domestic fire related injuries Older People’s partnership – multi-agency Board with older people central to the agenda, and key members of the Board Targeting the over 50 age group The membership of the Board gave the opportunity for building key relationships with organisations, agencies and older people themselves, and the development of wider networks. Having the OPP Co-ordinator working in a targeted concentrated way gave the long term continuity required to build and develop partnership working and changes in working practices and procedures within partner organisations. The post acted as a conduit for older people and reps from support agencies to build relationships within the wider service.

Outcomes for partnership Specific targets Targeted Fire Safety messages “First contact” – multi-agency case finding Telecare – joint working Beacon award – engaging older people

Outcomes for WYFRS Embedded fire safety risk processes Developed wide range of impactful interventions, ie: - Hospital Discharge scheme - Safety House Older people influencing change – training for Community Safety staff Number of fatalities and injuries reducing Improved Information Sharing and access to vulnerable groups WYFRS seen as a credible and proactive partner Hospital Discharge pilot People being discharged from hospital with specialist equipment, including home oxygen, without the fire safety risk assessment within the home environment being carried out. Project developed: Discharge Plan for patients to return home Home Risk assessment to include fire risk, particularly for all specialist equipment Training for discharge staff to identify risk factors Referrals made on behalf of the patients, with consent Since August’08, 65 referrals – 15 oxygen users, 25 High Risk, 101 detectors fitted Numbers: Safety Training House Offer of house in Girlington from Bradford Council Rent free for 3 years Training of front line staff in risk assessment and hazard spotting, including WYFRS staff Risks and solutions Addressing all safety issues – fire safety, energy efficiency, disability adaptations, Telecare, etc. Sign up from partners Improved Training Development of fire safety awareness talks appropriate to the audience Improvements in staff development and training to be competent and well resourced Staff training to include behavioural techniques when working with groups with special needs, ie. Disabled, hard of hearing, older people, learning disabilities Numbers of HFSC’s for older people increased / deaths and injuries fallen? Information sharing Improved procedures and awareness around information sharing WYFRS seen as trusted partner, assisting other organisations in addressing the needs of vulnerable people Willingness to work with WYFRS to reduce risk factors and create innovative ways of addressing need

Influencing Change within WYFRS Improved understanding of risks experienced by older and more vulnerable groups Moved from a ‘broad brush’ approach Relevant training and development for staff Focussing services upon ‘vulnerable people’ with help of partners and those vulnerable groups Developed creative and targeted ways to identify those most at risk: - Expansion of High Risk team OPP Co-ordinator has played a major part in reshaping the nature of the service WYFRS offers householders, as a result of the work with partner organisations and older people influencing the service Moved from ‘broad brush’ approach to reducing risk that focussed upon ensuring that everyone in West Yorkshire had working smoke detectors, to a more targeted approach looking at risk factors, and building relationships with organisations that can assist in identifying the most at risk groups. Improved understanding of what makes a person more at risk, both within the service and within organisations

THANK YOU Any Questions? True sense of Partnership! Brian Robson Brian.robson@westyorksfire.gov.uk Andrew Jones Andrew.jones@bradford.gov.uk