School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work Centre for Research into Disability and Society Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute CRICOS Provider Code 00301J BAPTISTCARE: Person-centredness for people with disabilities, elders and people with mental health issues Professor Errol Cocks Director, CRDS 27 th October 2010

Policy Relevance for Person-Centred, Cross- Sectoral Development Australia National Disability Strategy (COAG, 2010) “A sustainable disability support system which is person- centred and self-directed, maximising opportunities for independence and participation in the economic, social and cultural life of the community.” WA Mental Health Commission (2010) “The level of service provided will be based on the needs, goals and strengths of the individual.” A consumer-focused mental health system in which consumers: “..control their own mental health care and (are) directly involve(d) in service planning and delivery.” 2Errol Cocks, Oct 2010

Policy Relevance for Person-Centred, Cross- Sectoral Development Department of Health and Ageing (2010). Introduced: “consumer-directed (aged) care(which)allows people to have greater control over their own lives by allowing them, to the extent that they are capable and wish to do so, to make choices about the types of care services they access and the delivery of those services, including who will deliver the services and when.” 3Errol Cocks, Oct 2010

Policy Relevance for Person-Centred, Cross- Sectoral Development Putting the public first (Oct. 2009) Economic Audit Committee Recommendation 11: “Progressively implement pilots of self-directed service design and delivery…(by)…adapting individualised funding approaches used in the disability service sector to areas such as mental health, aged care, long- term health conditions, palliative care, job training and homelessness…” 4Errol Cocks, Oct 2010

Conclusion: This powerful confluence of policies indicates the priority that will be given to: 1.Projects that aim to develop new services, or to re- develop existing services, according to person-centred principles, values, and outcomes. 2.Cross-sectoral (i.e., disability, mental health, and ageing) and cross-disciplinary approaches that promote learning, knowledge transfer, and practices. 5Errol Cocks, Oct 2010

What is “person-centredness” in health & human services? A focus on respecting the PERSON that emphasises: Providing support to the individual that closely reflects the person’s needs and preferences. Responding to the person by acknowledging and working through his/her strengths. Enabling the person and/or those close to the person to have a strong influence over that support. Promoting informal relationships as much as possible. Promoting social inclusion and participation. Origins: personal commitments human rights normalisation valued social roles

Where is person-centredness to be seen in a service? In an organisation’s “culture” – assumptions, beliefs, values, practices. In relationships within and outside the organisation. In the manner in which the organisation plans for the people it serves. In the manner in which the organisation provides its services. In the manner in which the organisation supports its workers and other key stakeholders such as families.

The Project AIM: To develop a Baptistcare person-centred service culture and practice using inclusive and participatory approaches. Three stages. 1. a. What does the literature say about person-centredness for people with disability, elders, and people with mental illness? b. Views of person-centredness in three Baptistcare programs. ( Honours project – Emma) 2. a. Assess Baptistcare services from a framework of person- centredness. b. Identify key strategies to develop culture and practice. ( Masters project – Rebecca) 3. Select some strategies for implementation and evaluation.

The CRDS Team Emma Ashcroft – Honours student. Julie Netto – OT Lecturer, Honours Supervisor Rebecca Waters – OT Lecturer, MPhil researcher Associate Professor Angus Buchanan – A/Head of School, MPhil Supervisor