Self Directed Support and the Workforce

SDS offers four options Option 1 – direct budget, complete control and flexibility Option 2 – control over design of service and decisions, Individual Service Fund with a chosen provider Option 3 – local authority maintains control and decision making and contracts with a provider on your behalf Option 4 – combination of above

The key challenge for providers.. If the person chooses option 1 or 2 to use their budget to purchase a service from a care provider, or indeed if choices are made on their behalf under option 3….. …..They should expect exactly the same level of choice and control that they would have if they employed their own staff

The implications are huge…. For organisational structure For decision making For systems and processes including finance and HR For organisational culture ….and for the role of direct support staff

I’ve been a support worker for five years – what does all this mean for my role??

The current role Take a few moments to put in order of priority the things you spend most time on in your support role:  Personal care including health related support  Housing support including budgeting, shopping, housework etc.  Planning with the person, their family and friends  Reviewing against agreed plans  Accessing social and leisure opportunities  Supporting relationships – families, neighbours, new and existing friends  Helping someone find or maintain a job  Helping someone connect with their community  Just listening and learning

Personalisation and SDS asks that we prioritise some key things... Identifying and working towards personal outcomes Thinking about assets rather than deficits Working in partnership with real power sharing A focus on citizenship roles Community connections – involving those not paid to be in a person’s life

7 key elements of personalisation A commitment to citizenship Individual service design Individualised policies Individualised support Individual funding Power with the person Creative community Julia Fitzpatrick, 2011

The changes for the support role might include… Developing the ability to help people identify outcomes Reviewing against outcomes Seeing assets as opportunities for contribution Learning to listen better Confidence in using planning tools Thinking about how power is used in support relationships What else?

The perfect Personal Assistant

The head…. What I need to know and understand How I learn from my experiences and continually improve my practice

The heart…. What I believe in, my values My personal characteristics and qualities How others experience me

The hands…. The skills I must have The tools I can use with confidence

Your task in three groups First of all: Group brainstorm – for your category, what would you think is important and relevant to develop your way of working? Then… As a group, agree what are the three most important things from the list you have created

Head – some ideas New legislation & relevant national policies Self awareness – my own strengths and support needs, my own prejudices Understanding the difference between outputs and outcomes Knowledge of planning and reviewing processes What else??

Heart – some ideas A belief in the possibility of change Resilience and flexibility An awareness of power in relationships A belief in social inclusion, equality, human rights What else??

Hands – some ideas Facilitation skills in person centred planning and identifying outcomes Active listening skills Community connecting skills What else??

How might an organisation support front line staff? Review all learning and development activities – do they support staff to deliver on SDS? For example – how do we know that every worker understands what an ‘outcome’ is? Are there dedicated spaces for reflective discussion and sharing learning? Where is everything documented? Review all organisational policies and procedures – are they consistent with SDS?

So what does this mean for me or my organisation? Action planning! In order to get myself or my organisation ready and ‘fit for purpose’, what will my first steps be?

Food for thought…… “When does our impulse to help others we see as less fortunate, obscure the possibility of working together as equals?” Norm Kunc

“Real change happens when people not used to speaking out are heard by people not used to listening” John O’Brien