Circles of Support Pete Crane, Wendy Crane, Max Neill

What is a Circle of Support? A circle of support is a group of people who come together to support another person. The person at the centre of the circle is usually somebody who has been excluded from accessing traditional support networks (family, community, employment)

Origins of circles of support The need for a circle often becomes apparent because of conflict in people’s lives – sometimes with the services designed to support the person, or with the system that administers access to these services.

What does a circle do? A circle is usually set up with a specific goal in mind. Examples might include: – a person wanting friendship & a social life – a young person needing help in transition from child to adult services – a person who simply wants to live “well” A circle is a model of ‘co- produced advocacy’ including the person, and allies

How do I get a circle? There is emerging evidence of the power of circles in people’s lives (Knapp et al, PSSRU unpublished) However, at the moment the number of circles is small At the moment, you are most likely to have a circle if you know someone else who also has a circle There are community circles coordinators in Rochdale, South Manchester and Kent. Organisations offering circles include Circles Network, Community Circles and others. These tend to be small local organisations. Community Circles are exploring organising circles in a hospice, and in a care home for people with dementia. Community Circles are also exploring work with local faith communities

The role of the facilitator Facilitators can play key roles in enabling the circle Facilitators usually apply person centred approaches in their faciliation role Some facilitators do this work voluntarily Some are students doing it as part of their course of education Some facilitators do it as part of another job Some facilitators are directly paid for their work Paid facilitation is seen as controversial by those who see paid facilitation & attempts to ‘scale up’ Circles as a departure from the original idea of circles as networks of support without an added layer of professionalism

Case Study 1: Saira’s Circle Why a circle? Saira was looking for support but she did not meet any of the criteria for support from statutory services. Saira was signposted to a local voluntary organisation and was able to work with a facilitator to set up a circle of support

Case Study 1: Saira’s Circle What is the purpose of the Circle? Saira wanted a better social life and a holiday abroad with someone her own age Saira wanted to find a way of helping people understand her condition so when she seems abrupt or rude they understand the reason

Case Study 1: Saira’s Circle What does Saira feel the circle has achieved so far? The circle has helped Saira with her planning, her social life has increased and she has been on a holiday with friends in the UK With the support of the has enrolled on different college courses and at the gym. Although not an original aim of the circle, Saira has had support to discuss changing her medication with the GP. Now she is involved in more activities and getting more exercise, she is feeling more relaxed

Case Study 2: Henry’s Circle Why a circle? Henry had just turned 18 and he and his family needed help to navigate the transition to adult social care and out of full time education Henry’s mum, in particular, felt that she needed support to advocate on Henry’s behalf

Case Study 2: Henry’s Circle What was the purpose of the Circle? To enable Henry to follow his interests as he transitions to adulthood

Case Study 2: Henry’s Circle What does Henry (and his mum) feel the circle has achieved? Henry has a one page profile, a job description has been written for Henry’s PAs and a weekly plan has been devised. Henry’s mum feels supported in her advocacy for Henry with social services and education. Henry’s circle have invited Henry’s social worker to the next circle meeting to outline how Henry plans to spend his IB.

Key Questions If circles are so good why aren’t there more? How does a person who feels isolated start a circle? How does (paid) facilitation impact on the circle? How can a circle support people to use IBs? What are the barriers to enduring circles of support?