Be Inspired! Shirley Ayres Consulting

“Attention has become the scarce resource of the information economy” Wired Magazine

One of my favourite sayings because it is a reality that there is so much information available on the internet that it can become overwhelming. Every organisation I am connected with now sends out an e-Letter. Improving access to, and use of, knowledge and information has been identified as a priority for improving care services. But identifying the resources which will add value to your knowledge and skills is a major challenge.

The national Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) provides information and intelligence to improve decision-making for high quality, cost effective services. It supports policy makers, commissioners, managers, regulators, and other health stakeholders working on children’s, young people’s and maternal health. One of the key roles for ChiMat is to act as a signposting organisation for relevant work in the areas of children, young people’s and maternal health and to identify and support potential synergies in national work between government departments and other agencies.

The ChiMat Knowledge Update is one e-Bulletin that I always read. This free online resource provides a snapshot of current issues, news, research, policy and practice across the wide area of children and young people’s services. It is an excellent example of joined up thinking in health and social care. 

Sign up for the weekly ChiMat Knowledge Update here

Recent Knowledge Updates have included information about:

National Indicators datasets
Access to information about national indicators which range from National Indicator 58 – Emotional Behaviour of Looked After Children through to National Indicator 62 – The percentage of children looked after at 31 March with three or more placements subsequently adopted in that placement. Access the ChiMat Data Atlas here

In the News
Community Care: BASW brands integrated children’s system a failure
The British Association of Social Workers has branded the implementation of the computerised integrated children’s system (ICS), which records details of children receiving social care, a “systematic failure”. Access the article here

CWDC: Dawn Primarolo launches Young People’s Workforce Reform Programme
An important chapter for the young people’s workforce, and those it serves, begins today, as Children and Young People’s Minister, Dawn Primarolo launches the Young People’s Workforce Reform Programme. Access more information here

Supporting social care for families and children: An introduction to SCIE’s resources
A new booklet presenting SCIE’s range of resources for families and children’s social care. Access here

BASW and ADCS call for no-blame approach in SCRs
Social workers and directors of children’s services have called for serious case reviews to use a no-blame “systems approach” as developed by the Social Care Institute for Excellence. Access here

Hidden Children –separated children at risk
Professionals ‘missing opportunities’ to help hidden children exploited for sex and forced labour. Children and young people trafficked into the UK, or exploited after their arrival, are struggling to get help from authorities responsible for their welfare, according to new research from The Children’s Society. Access more information here  
 
Guides and Practice
Commercial and Procurement Skills for Commissioners of Children’s Services
This page links to a set of guidance documents designed to help commissioners understand and apply commercial and procurement skills in their work. The documents cover the key principles of procurement, an overview of both strategic procurement and the contracting process, an overview of resource mapping and a basic jigsaw tool designed to help commissioners understand the key principles of change management.  Access here 

Policy and Reports
Community engagement key to Enfield’s JSNA strategy
The London Borough of Enfield has teamed up with the local primary care trust (PCT), NHS Enfield. They have placed community engagement at the heart of their joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA). This cas study gives an account of this process and includes key learnings for other councils. Access here

Meeting the specific needs of children with disabilities
The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes presents the latest guidance on the importance of ‘differentiated’ services for disabled children. Access here  

Research
Exploring family environment characteristics and multiple abuse experiences among homeless youth
A qualitative study of homeless youth to examine how they describe past instances of abuse, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and to explore family characteristics in their home environment. Identifies themes relating to the home environment, such as home instability, abandonment and substance abuse; also identifies themes around abuse, including intrafamilial abuse, rejection and carer abuse.
Access here

Consultations
Safeguarding Targets and Indicators
The National Safeguarding Delivery Unit (part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families) has launched a consultation on Safeguarding Targets and Indicators. Deadline for responses is 8 December 2009. Access here

Events and Training
Five Years On: What’s Changed for Children and Young People?
London, 8 December 2009
Participation Works and 11 Million are holding a one-day conference to review the changes that have taken place since the Children Act 2004. The conference will identify what has worked well and what still needs to be done to ensure that the views and opinions of children and young people help to shape and influence policy and practice. This is a unique opportunity to find out what works in participation and help you to meet the duty to listen to and involve children and young people and to champion their interests. Access more information here

Shirley Ayres Consulting are committed to development through communication in the care sector. With extensive experience in knowledge management and communications we believe that a skilled and knowledgeable workforce, up-to-date with the latest legislation, policy and best practice, enables staff to make the most effective use of their time. This promotes the best outcomes for children, young people, their families and carers.

Tags: advanced social work practice, apho.org.uk, ChiMat, cwdc, DCSF, health and social care, health and well being, integrated working, knowledge management, research, scie, Social Work

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The formal launch of the final report of the Social Work Task Force will take place on Tuesday 1 December 2009 at Central Hall, Westminster.  This event will be the first opportunity to hear the contents of this report. Registration is required by Thursday 26 November.
This report will set out in detail the recommendations to Government for a programme of comprehensive reform of the social work system in England. Delegates at this event will be the first to hear the contents of the report, as well as a presentation by Moira Gibb, Chair of the Social Work Task Force, and to hear the Government’s response. Members of the Task Force will explore the contents of the report and answer questions. Register here

Indications about the final recommendations:
• The profession needs a stronger, more coherent voice
• A new organisation to support social work which could take the form of a National College for Social Work (interesting to contemplate the future roles of the GSCC, Skills for Care, Children’s Workforce Development Council, Social Care Institute for Excellence and the National Skills Academy for Social Care)
• Different progression routes and career pathways for social work – (management should be one of a number of routes)
• Development of the Advanced Professional Social Worker role
• The importance of high quality CPD (and presumably implications for the current GSCC PRTL)
• A post-qualifying framework which is linked to career progression 
• Support for social workers in improving their basic skills, where required (how basic?)
• Reforms to include guidance on supervision and caseloads
• Recommendations about the ICS and the need for development of IT systems which support social workers as well as providing management information
• A pre-qualifying year and a license to practice
• Closer collaboration between employers and educators (since these partnerships already exist at qualifying and post-qualifying level it will be interesting to see how the recommendations will promote more effective joint working).

Social Work Task Force Website

Tags: advanced social work practice, cwdc, DCSF, education, gscc, ICS, Leadership and Management, Learning and Development, post qualifying awards, professional practice, scie, skills for care, Social Work, social work skills

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Lin Graham-Ray, Hammersmith and Fulham’s designated nurse consultant for looked-after children, has scooped the top prize at the Nursing Standard awards* when she was named the nation’s nurse of the year.
 
Lin won the award for her work to improve services for looked after children in the borough. Lin and her team worked on a project to redevelop looked-after children’s health plans, so that they include wellbeing activities to boost self-confidence and happiness, in addition to vaccinations and health checks.

“In the past, health reports may have simply recommended eye tests or immunisations,’ Lin explains, ‘but I want people to do whatever they can to help these children achieve optimum health – not just tick the box that they’ve been to the dentist or had their immunisations. I think we’ve all realised that there’s more to health than just vaccinations – looking after the well being of our children is just as important. Prescribing activities like baton-twirling helps boost confidence which can really make a difference to their lives and it means that they’re healthier and happier”.

There are currently around 60,000 looked-after children living in the UK.  Many looked after children have experienced abuse and neglect and have extensive health needs. Their educational achievement is much lower than that of their peers and they are four times more likely to have a mental disorder.

As the borough’s lead nurse for looked-after children, Lin’s post is funded by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham and the council. She provides a range of health advice and support to the borough’s 230 children in care. 

Looked-after children nurses like Lin support these young people by building their trust, carrying out health checks and answering their health and well being questions. Lin realised that the health and well being of these young people needed to be addressed more systematically and creatively. The children had complex lives with frequent changes of home and school. Lin introduced a scheme assigning a lead health professional to each young person, with a personalised care pathway and plan.

Lin said: “The feedback we get from young people is helping to continually improve the service. For example, when out on visits we now wear jeans because the children told us that we’re more approachable and easier to talk to in casual clothes.”

Sarah Whiting, Managing Director of NHS Hammersmith and Fulham, said: “ By developing new projects and initiatives like the ones produced by Lin and her team, we’re improving care and making sure that our patients lead happy and healthy lives.”

Lin contributed to the recent Government office for London publication “Supporting the Health and Well being of London’s Looked After Children – Learning from Emerging Practice” available here

*Established in 1988, the Nursing Standard Awards identify outstanding achievement and promote excellence and innovation in nursing care. Around 3,000 nurses are nominated for the honours every year.

Tags: be inspired, health and well being, integrated working, Leadership and Management, Lin Graham Ray, looked after children, looked after children nurse, nurse of the year, Social Work

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The new regulations for Direct Payments came into force on the 9th of November 2009. To coincide with this change, Cheryl Lewis and Marcia White, on behalf of the Department of Health Personalisation team, have thoroughly overhauled the Direct Payments Solution set. It can now be located in the Personalisation toolkit under the topic heading Direct Payments. Click here

The Direct Payments Solution Set is an online resource aimed at sharing what works through examples and resources produced by people with experience. It will help others promote and provide direct payments, both where personal budgets are available and where they have yet to be introduced.  The Solution Set will be updated regularly.

In conjunction with the Direct Payments Solution Set, the Direct Payments Uptake Group DP is a private group to enable members of all regional Direct Payments groups to share a single message space. Click here to join the DP Solution Set Yahoo Group

Did you know about the DH Care Networks? This very useful online resource provides information around integration and whole system reform, housing with care, assistive technology and partnership working. Click here for more information

Shirley Ayres Consulting, in conjunction with Cheryl Lewis, have developed a Direct Payments Training programme for managers and staff to explore how Direct Payments support Personalisation, Self Directed Support, Individual Budgets and Personal Budgets. For more information contact info@shirleyayresconsulting.co.uk

Tags: cheryl lewis, Department of Health, DH Care Networks, Direct Payments, personalisation, Putting People First, research, Resource Allocation System, Self Directed Support, shirley ayres consulting, Social Work

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Care Matters: Ministerial Stocktake Report 2009 This report sets out what the Department have achieved for children in care through the Care Matters programme of reform, and the plans for 2010. A useful overview, case studies and proposals for addressing the areas where progress has been slow. A young person’s version of the report is also available. Access this publication

 Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Well Being of Looked After Children (November 2009). This statutory guidance replaces the version published in 2002 which was statutory on local authorities. The revised guidance is statutory on local authorities and also Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities. There have been a number of criticisms about the implementation of the 2002 Guidance which are addressed in this publication. Access this publication  

You may also find it useful to refer to the recent Government office for London publication “Promoting the Health and Well being of London’s Looked After Children: Learning from Emerging Practice” which details how Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts are addressing the challenges of ensuring that the health and well being needs of children in care are met. Access this publication

The National Commissioning Framework: Consultation Document (November 2009). This National Commissioning Framework (NCF) is now published for consultation. The consultation runs until 17:00 on 5th February 2010, and will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the proposed approach and feed in comments. The final version of the NCF will be published, subject to legislation, by the Young People’s Learning Agency, in April 2010. Access this publication 

 The Government Response to the 5th Annual Report of Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group (November 2009). This response to Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group’s annual report reflects the continuing high priority given to teenage pregnancy over the last years and sets out a number of steps the Government has taken to help local authorities and Primary Care Trusts to accelerate their local strategies. Access this publication

DCSF Publications can be viewed, downloaded and ordered through the Online Publications Shop. If you register  as a user you can order hard copies – paper-based, CDs and videos - some of which are free.

Tags: Care Matters, commissioning, DCSF, improving children's services, integrated working, looked after children, Social Work

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Where do the post qualifying awards for social work fit within the new CWDC and Skills for Care education and training frameworks?

“We will never ensure quality training, support and supervision for social workers without the active commitment of employers. The pressures that many social work teams are under won’t ease unless there is real investment by employers in developing and supporting their workforce.” Rosie Varley Chair GSCC in a speech at the GSCC Annual Conference 2009

If you are one of the thousands of PQ award holders you may be as puzzled as I am about the current low profile of the post qualifying awards. Admittedly there has been only a limited amount of research about the impact upon practice of completing a post qualifying award in social work. However, the findings consistently affirm the value of the awards in developing advanced practitioner skills and knowledge. High quality social work requires high levels of professional expertise – this has been known for many years. The real challenge is how we equip social workers with the skills and knowledge to consistently deliver best practice in social work.. We certainly need more research to identify where best practice is happening and whether practitioners with a post qualifying award are making a difference.

It is worth reading “Supporting and Promoting Advanced Social Work” published by the Institute of Psychiatry/Kings College London available here . This publication provides a number of case studies from former students and employers about the benefits of completing an Advanced Award in Social Work. The MSc in Mental Health Social Work with Children and Adults teaches practitioners innovative skills in mental health social work that are informed by research. Students not only refresh their knowledge and learn and practise new skills – they are also taught to critically appraise relevant empirical research studies and undertake their own original research. Past students have gone on to influence the development of policy and practice in their agencies, been promoted to leadership positions and offered advanced supervision to less experienced colleagues.

The Interim Report of the Social Work Task Force (SWTF) states that “current arrangements for education, training and career progression are not producing – or retaining – enough social workers suited to the full demands of frontline practice”. Research is required to evidence the links between PQ attainment and the recruitment and retention of social workers. “What support is available for my continuing professional development?” is certainly one of the questions that I would be asking a future employer. More information about the work of the Social Work Task force can be obtained here.

Sadly the challenges facing access to Post Qualifying (PQ) education and training have not radically changed over the last ten years. Funding, capacity issues and the lack of a national performance indicator are big disincentives for employers to invest in staff undertaking post qualifying awards in social work. The not for profit sector, with even less access to funding, are struggling to support staff wanting to undertake PQ. This is further complicated by the number of agency social workers employed by local authorities. There is no consistency in the access they have to continuing professional development opportunities.

Recognition or incentives vary considerably amongst employers because PQ is not systemically linked to re-registration, pay structures or workforce development. It is not clear why the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) did not link the post qualifying awards to the emerging career framework or the Newly Qualified Social Work (NQSW) scheme. I hope that the increased focus on the importance of the Advanced Social Work Practitioner role will provide the necessary impetus for the cultural shift required.

The SWTF Interim Report criticises the current PQ framework for not meeting employers and social workers’ needs for specialisation. Amongst the gaps identified are therapeutic work, emergency duty work and operating in dangerous family environments. A brief look through the London PQ Programmes Directory highlights the diversity of courses available which range from the MSc in Inter-professional Practice through to the Post Graduate Diploma Applied Systemic Theory.

This suggests a problem with the structure of the regional partnerships between employers and universities rather than an unwillingness of the universities to respond to employer demands. The criticism does not seem to take account of the innovative new courses which have been developed by employer and university partnerships including modules on Protecting Vulnerable Children and Personalisation. There is also the reality that universities have to make a business case for developing new programmes – if the demand is there undoubtedly new programmes can be developed. There are costs involved and the numbers may be so small in one region that it may not be financially viable. The growth of eLearning modules increasingly offered by a number of universities may fill the gap. Read about the Research methods and critical appraisal for social workers e-learning short course here

A number of universities have integrated the NQSW outcomes to the post qualifying framework. Arguably, the CWDC and Skills for Care could have demonstrated their commitment to the post qualifying awards by including them in the original brief for developing the NQSW rather than left as an afterthought.

Useful information about PQ including “Making Sense of the Post Qualifying Awards – a brief Guide for London Employers” can be obtained here.

The Social Work Task Force believes that “to be successful the post-qualifying training framework needs to be linked much more explicitly to career structures, progression and Post Registration Training and Learning (PRTL) requirements for registration with the GSCC. Its success will be dependent not only on the standards and quality of the training and materials, but also on the shared engagement of employers and professionals: both sides must make the commitment of time and resources that will be necessary”.

I believe that it is equally important to value and learn from the experiences of the thousands of social workers who have already completed a post qualifying or advanced award in social work.

My top ten suggestions for promoting the post qualifying awards

 A research study to be commissioned to examine the following areas. A quantitative study to determine the number of social workers undertaking, or who have completed, a post qualifying award. A qualitative study to explore the benefits and challenges for employers and social workers of the post qualifying framework. An employer’s study to identify how the achievement of an award is linked to pay scales, career progression and the workforce development strategy.

 The development of an online resource to enable social workers who have completed an original research project as part of their Advanced Award to share their findings.  Maybe this could be hosted by SCIE with a regular feature on Social Care TV? 

 A national communications strategy to promote awareness of the benefits of undertaking a PQ Award. The Social Work Development Partnership to encourage all of the regions to provide a rolling programme of PQ Information Seminars.

 Producing a monthly eLetter which regularly updates all stakeholders about PQ Developments. This could be incorporated into the GSCC Social Work Connections eLetter.

 Making the links between the post qualifying framework and the different initiatives developed by Skills for Care and CWDC to strengthen the recruitment, retention and continuing professional development of social workers. 

 An online survey to be undertaken to determine current levels of awareness and registrations for PQ awards in local authorities, the health service and the private and voluntary sector.

 Social workers who have completed a post qualifying award to be encouraged to become PQ Champions. There is an interesting article about this in the June 2009 London PQ Bulletin

 Information about the range of post qualifying courses to be made more widely available through the development of a National Directory of Post Qualifying Courses  updated annually. The names of universities offering Approved PQ Courses are listed on the GSCC website.  More detailed information about London courses can be downloaded here London PQ Programmes Directory

 A survey to establish what support is being provided by Recruitment Agencies for temporary staff who wish to undertake post qualifying studies. Maybe the Association of Social Work Employment Businesses (ASWEB) could undertake this survey?

And finally an Annual Conference to update employers, practice teachers, front line social workers and people who use services about PQ developments, to celebrate PQ achievements and to promote best practice. You can read about the very successful  conference “Professional Leadership – The Challenge for Advanced Practitioners” which was reported in the April 2008 London PQ Bulletin.

Millions of pounds have been invested in the post qualifying framework over the past fifteen years. Thousands of social workers have invested their time and money in completing a post qualifying award. I hope that the Social Work Task Force will ensure that this investment is embedded into future social work practice.

Tags: advanced social work practice, cwdc, gscc, institute of psychiatry, post qualifying awards, professional practice, scie, skills for care, Social Work, social work task force

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This SCIE at a glance summary presents an overview of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 which is important to health and social care practice in England and Wales. The MCA promotes and safeguards decision-making within a legal framework by: empowering people to make decisions for themselves where possible, protecting people who lack capacity; allowing people to plan ahead for a time in the future when they might lack the capacity. Download here

For further information on the Mental Capacity Act and the role of IMCAs, visit www.scie.org.uk/mca and www.scie.org.uk/imca. You will be able to access guidance materials and further links.

SCIE are to be commended on the ”at a glance summaries”  which help practitioners understand quickly and easily the important messages in a number of key areas. A full list of the very useful “at a glance” series is available here

Tags: ICMA, mental capacity, mental capacity act, safeguarding, scie, Social Work

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The Social Workers’ Educational Trust invites applications from qualified and experienced social workers planning to undertake a study/research project in the following areas:

S.W.E.T. RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
£1,500 for an investigation into inter-professional or multi-agency practice 

ANNE CUMMINS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
£1,500 for a study/research project on health related social work.

Applicants should complete the Trust’s scholarship application form, and include a proposal of not more than 500 words, setting out the aims, estimated costs, time-scale and intended outcomes/benefits of the research project

Application forms can be obtained from

The Hon. Secretary,
Social Workers’ Educational Trust
BASW, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD

downloaded here SWET Research Scholarship Application Form 2010

or from http://www.socialworkerseducationaltrust.org

The completed form with proposal must reach the above address by the 17th May 2010

Tags: research, Social Work, social workers educational trust

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The Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty safeguards (formerly known as the Bournewood safeguards) were introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 through the Mental Health Act 2007 (which received Royal Assent in July 2007).

The MCA DOL safeguards apply to anyone:

- aged 18 and over who suffers from a mental disorder or disability of the mind, such as dementia or a profound learning disability
- who lacks the capacity to give informed consent to the arrangements made for their care and / or treatment and
- for whom deprivation of liberty (within the meaning of Article 5 of the ECHR) is considered after an independent assessment to be necessary in their best interests to protect them from harm.

The safeguards cover patients in hospitals, and people in care homes registered under the Care Standards Act 2000, whether placed under public or private arrangements

The aim is to implement the safeguards in April 2009. The safeguards are designed to protect the interests of an extremely vulnerable group of service users and to:
- ensure people can be given the care they need in the least restrictive regimes
- prevent arbitrary decisions that deprive vulnerable people of their liberty
- provide safeguards for vulnerable people
- provide them with rights of challenge against unlawful detention
- avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.

There are two publications, funded by the Department of Health and produced by BILD, which you can download in .pdf format: The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and You and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Guide for families and carers.

Also available from the Department of Health website are easy read publications about Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in basic and expanded versions, as well as a video version.

Tags: mental capacity act, mental health, safeguarding adults, Social Work

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This moving poem was recently sent to me and I can understand why it has gained such a wide audience.

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in New South Wales, Australia it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.  Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. The old man’s sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in Christmas editions of magazines around the country and magazines for Mental Health.  This old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses?          -   What do you see?
What are you thinking               -   When you’re looking at me?
A cranky old man,                    -   Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit                     -   With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food              -   And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice    -   ‘I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice           -   The things that you do.
And forever is losing                 -   A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not                 -   Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding           -   The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking?       -   Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse       -   You’re not looking at me.

I’ll tell you who I am                  -   As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding,            -   As I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten             -   With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters                   -   Who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen             -   With wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now            -   A lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty           -   My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows             -   That I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now                 -   I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide               -  And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty                         -  My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other                  -   With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons           -   Have grown and are gone,
But my woman is beside me       -   To see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more                   -   Babies play ’round my knee,
Again, we know children            -   My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me              -   My wife is now dead.
I look at the future                     -   I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing       -  Young of their own.
And I think of the years              -  And all the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old man                   -   And nature is cruel.
It’s jest to make old age             -   Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles                -   Grace and vigour, depart.
There is now a stone                  -   Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass          -   A young man still dwells,
And now and again                    -   My battered heart swells
I remember the joys                   -   I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living           -   Life over again.

I think of the years, all too few    -   Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact           -   That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people        -   Open and see.
Not a cranky old man !              -   Look closer . .   see . . . . . . . . ME!!

It is worth remembering this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within . . . . .  we will all be there, too one day!

Tags: challenging stereotypes, creativity, social justice, Social Work

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