Be Inspired! Shirley Ayres Consulting

It was with some trepidation that I read the Coalition’s new “Vision for Adult Social Care” this week. Would there be any surprises?
It’s great to see the new government taking up the baton of “Putting People First”. The key themes of choice, empowerment, using social capital from communities and partnership working (rather than professionals having a monopoly of wisdom) fit perfectly with “Big Society” principles. Most importantly, once you start to give people a voice – like any democratic approach – there is no turning back. Personalisation is here to stay.
I am, however, particularly pleased to see that my learning and development tool Whose Shoes? is still valid – not just valid but proclaiming loud and clear, and often in uncompromising terms, the key messages included in the new vision statement. As I read on, key messages kept leaping out at me which are totally in line with my Whose Shoes? scenarios  … “free the frontline from bureaucratic constraints”….“a proportionate approach to the management of risk”….”the system should support rather than hinder people’s goals”….“educational or employment opportunities”….“reduction of inflexible block contracts”….. “nothing about me, without me”
  Whose Shoes? was developed 18 months ago. So does this mean that nothing has changed or moved on? No, it means that change of this magnitude takes time; it must evolve through a shift in power and the creation of new ways of working. Top leaders are using imaginative ways of engaging staff and communities, using the synergy that comes from genuine involvement. Creative approaches to learning, exchanging practical solutions – concentrating on outcomes which may or may not require state-funded services.
Working in silos is no longer an option as personalisation dictates new partnerships. Partnerships start from building relationships. Relationships start from getting to know each other and building trust. Whose Shoes? is inclusive, enabling service users and carers to engage with a wide range of professionals in an extremely natural way. Empathy and innovation are key – it is only through breaking down existing barriers that the conditions will be laid to speed up the journey to personalisation – but avoid derailment.
“Training – for personalisation – is not just acquiring a tick-list  of ‘competences’, but developing understanding of how it is for this individual, walking in their shoes…..”  - Barbara Pointon, MBE, Ambassador for Alzheimer’s Society

“Whose Shoes? was the winner of the national Dragon’s Den style “Thinking outside the Box” event in Newcastle.

About the author Gill Phillips has 30 years experience in social care. She became passionate about the personalisation agenda while working for Coventry City Council as Service Manager, Performance Improvement. Wishing to pursue innovative ways of engaging people, Gill established Nutshell Communications Ltd and developed Whose Shoes?  She gives lively, challenging talks and workshops across the UK. Contact Gill through her website  www.nutshellcomms.co.uk and follow her on twitter @WhoseShoes

Whose Shoes? is featured as a “good practice” example in the Department of Health: Putting People First Communications Toolkit:
Watch the lovely Whose Shoes? videos

Tags: encouraging innovation, personalisation, social care, workforce engagement

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Are you interested in learning more about how tools such as blogging, social networking and Twitter can promote your activities and increase your online presence? The Central London Social Media Surgery is a free advice session for community, voluntary and not for profit organisations on the 8th December 2010 from 12.30 – 2.00 at the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

It will be  a pretty informal gathering of people who want to learn and share their knowledge about how to use the web to communicate, campaign or collaborate.

The social media surgery is being provided in collaboration with the Small Charities Coalition http://www.smallcharities.org.uk

I am delighted to be organising the surgery along with other volunteers who have a passion for social media. The surgery is based on a model originally set-up by social media company Podnosh, run by Nick Booth. Places are limited and booking is essential.  http://socialmediasurgery.com/events/104 Priority will be given to members of the Small Charities Coalition.

Tags: London social media surgery, social media, social networking

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The simple answer is yes. This conclusion was prompted by one of the many emails I receive asking for help and advice. With the writers consent and personal details changed I will be publishing our correspondence and the discussions I have with relevant care organisations over the next few weeks. Finding a specialist dementia care home which exemplifies best practice is a serious challenge which is being confronted by an ever increasing number of people who care for older relatives and friends. 

My parents belief in social justice has been a guiding force in my professional and personal life. The care they received at the end of their life was important to me, my family and our friends. With over thirty years experience in the care sector I was able to navigate and understand what often seem to be very complex systems and information. I hope that these  posts will help the many people confronting a similar dilemma about finding good quality residential care for people who have been affected by Dementia and Alzheimer’s.  

 I am currently developing the Click Guide to Personalisation which brings together online resources for professionals supporting adults receiving care services. For the benefit of carers, relatives and social entrepreneurs developing new services, the Guide will now include further information about how adult social care services work, and the roles of the various national, regional and local bodies.

Dear Shirley,

I am the sole carer of my mother who suffers from Dementia with Alzheimer’s.  After several years of caring for her in her own home I find myself physically and emotionally exhausted and in my forties I can see the rest of my life mapped out for me if I don’t take action now.  I am looking for an outstanding home to care, engage and love her. I have explored all publicly available sites for information but only two places have inspired me in their approach which are Spring Mount in Bradford and Merevale near Birmingham, both of which are full to capacity and have waiting lists.  Those homes that I have visited do not cut the mustard or are protectionist and will not signpost me to good practice elsewhere.  So I am hoping you can help.
My mother is in good physical health, is involved in daily tasks of life and living and is a creative, gentle spirit.  We live in London but ultimately I’m willing to place her outside London if this ensures she gets the best possible care and am willing to travel.
I do hope you can help to sign post me in the right direction. If you are unable to do so, perhaps you know of someone who can help me, with unbiased information that I can research further? Its a mine field and I’ve discovered that the CQC rating is a pile of crock.  In helping me you will go a long way to supporting my duty of care towards my mother, who you can imagine is the most precious person in my life and who deserves the best care possible.  She is Asian too so any culturally specific places could be worth exploring.  I’ve looked at a few in XXXXXXX which are very institutionalised.

Kind regards and in anticipation,
K

Dear K,
Thanks for your email and I understand the challenges you are facing. My mother had dementia, she was precious to us all and we loved her dearly. We fought long and hard to find the right home for her when she could no longer be cared for at home. In my experience the care provided is very dependent on the manager and we eventually found a place for my mother at XXXX (NB The name of the home has been deleted following my discussions with the Care Quality Commission which will be reported in the next post). A brilliant home with a committed manager and an excellent example of best practice. We did have to fight with the local authority who were more concerned about a single room being available and the cost rather than the philosophy and approach underpinning the care.
 
I believe that as our knowledge and expectations increase about what is appropriate care for people with dementia we, as a society, have to challenge inadequate and bad practice. But I also see the potential for conflict with the budget cuts being used as an excuse for justifying the lack of improvements which need to be addressed by strong leadership, staff training and supervision.
 
I would have recommended Spring Mount in Bradford and Merevale near Birmingham but since they were highlighted in TV programmes I guess it is understandable that they now have long waiting lists. Have you been in contact with the national charities representing people who have dementia and carers?
 
You may have picked up that I am a keen advocate of the potential of social networking to improve care standards. With your consent and without identifying you or your mother I would like to post the content of your email across a number of professional networking forums and on my website to highlight the issues you raise in your email and to see what homes would be recommended. Do let me know whether this is an idea you would be happy for me to pursue.
 
As a matter of professional curiosity can I ask why you contacted me?
 
With all good wishes
 
Shirley

I would really welcome feedback about the issues raised in this post, recommendations for care homes which provide “person centred” dementia care and thoughts about any websites which provide an “Amazon” style ratings system locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

About Shirley Ayres Consulting

Tags: Alzheimer’s, care homes, care quality commission, choice and control, Click Guide to Personalisation, dementia, personalisation, social care, workforce development

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