Be Inspired! Shirley Ayres Consulting

Thank you to Shirley for the privilege of allowing me to guest blog on this site. As a fellow digital advocate, it is great we can stick together, and share each others projects for disabled people.

For over 2 years I have been running my blog http://martynsibley.com/. I enjoy writing articles, tweeting, sharing videos and pictures on my life: some would say a life less ordinary, while others would not feel the need to clarify. Having a disability; always striving for new challenges and living life to the full; my articles often highlight the lighter/social side to life. Having gained a masters degree, travelled to Australia, learnt to drive a car with my hands and now living independently in London; I have crammed a lot in to my 28 years. My website mantra is inspire, inform and change.

I have always said how grateful I am for those who fought for and won independence for disabled people 20+ years ago. Moreover, I remain ever grateful to those campaigning on prevalent issues today. I have also dipped my toe in the political writing arena http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/have-your-say/guest-column/putting-the-personal-into-personal-care and attended political marches http://martynsibley.com/the-professionals-video-from-the-march

For the past 2 months I have been self-employed (having worked for Scope in various capacities for 5 years) and I’m now running my own online projects for disabled people. Beyond my blog I co-launched the disability magazine http://disabilityhorizons.com/, created a series of ‘webinars’ (online seminars) http://martynsibley.com/online-learning and have other ‘new media’ plans.

The webinars are being run for my social media audience, and also in partnership with Hackney council http://www.hackney.gov.uk/disability-webinars.htm and Scope http://www.scope.org.uk/news/blogs/martyns-blog/free-disability-webinars (for their respective service users). Each series has 5 topics, which vary with each contract, and include: being a parent to a disabled child, a session for disabled teenagers, giving assistance with independent living (accessible housing, equipment, care and finance), accessing local leisure and world travel. In one hour the attendee can log on from home (or their nearest computer), absorb the 45 minute presentation I deliver and then ask specific questions in the 15 minute Q&A session. They see my screen and therefore can view powerpoint slides, websites, word documents and other useful/relevant materials. Meanwhile I explain all by talking into a microphone.

The benefits are seen by free attendance, useful information on a manner of disability related topics, personal goals to be taken away and my own theory which can be applied to all future concerns. To sign up and try one for yourself please click here http://martynsibley.com/online-learning

So, what is the theory I mentioned? It is called the Disability Diamond Theory. I created this theory because I could see the need for a disability model that focuses on an individuals’ impairment, needs, aspirations and life choices. It also encourages disabled people to aim higher, helps them along with some useful resources and explains my philosophy too. By my own admission it derives from personal experiences and is not an academic thesis. My experiences have, however, been influenced by many other disabled people and my only professional work was in the disability sector. A pretty solid foundation to write such a book I hope.

It is free to download here http://martynsibley.com/philosophy. My vision is that the Disability Diamond Theory will encourage disabled people (especially the next generation) to use the resources available (that were not around 20+ years ago) and excel in life.

I would love for you to read this ebook and feedback your views – good, bad or indifferent http://martynsibley.com/give-me-a-shout

Martyn Sibley – Managing Director Sunnier Days Ltd

Website - http://martynsibley.com/

Online magazine - http://disabilityhorizons.com/

Email - martyn@martynsibley.com

Tags: advocacy, digital engagement, disability, Disability Diamond Theory, social care

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Mary Baker founder of DropBy

Social Networking and the over 60s may sound an unusual combination. However, the latest Nielsen research finds that overall membership of existing social network sites has grown significantly between 2009 and 2011 and that use by older people has grown more than twice as fast.

DropBy is a social website for the over 60s to keep in touch with family, friends and interest groups. DropBy is very much part of the Big Society and is an enabling force for family and community communications. In the longer term it could become a life-line for those who live alone or who feel isolated.

The website provides a safe hub for older people to communicate and interact with their families and friends even if they cannot leave the house. It is also proving to be a friendly place where carers can share their frustrations and make new friends.

Tags: DropBy, online communities, social care, social media

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Photo copyright Julie Broadfoot, all rights reserved, used with permission

I am passionate about empowering people through knowledge and the power of ideas to change attitudes and lives. The internet provides a wealth of information, knowledge and inspiration for social learning. I was fortunate to attend and contribute to the learning technologies conference and exhibition (#emtech11) held at the Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on Friday 25th February. It was really interesting to explore how technologies offer new ways to engage, converse and collaborate to improve social services practice.

People are now using the internet to communicate and interact in a completely different way. People want to be heard and understood and this has implications for social learning. This presents both opportunities and challenges for learning, education and training professionals. Is the new role for learning and development as brokers for learning, connecting people to each other and to other sources of learning and not just providing formal learning opportunities?

Social media can be one of the most powerful ways to understand what we do and why, learn as we go, and share what we learn with others through discussions and observation. Social media is, in many ways, all about learning. 

My workshop demonstrated how we can use the internet to answer the question “What would you like to learn today? Slightly daring because those who know me are aware that technology per se is not my strong point!

A big question for me. At a time when public support is urgently needed to protect social work and social care why are we not using social media to engage with our stakeholders? One of my favourite videos from Erik Qualman about the phenomenal growth in social media activity during the past two years

“it is not a question now about whether you should be involved in social media but how well you do it”

I believe everyone should know about TED a unique phenomenon which gathers the best minds from around the world to explore thoughts and ideas. TED shares the inspirational ideas through videos which are freely available online. Two of my favourite TED talks: 

Derek Sivers: How to start a movement 2010
Lessons about leadership and the importance of the first follower with help from some surprising footage, Derek Sivers explains how movements really get started.

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure 2008 At her Harvard commencement speech, “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling offers some powerful, heartening advice to dreamers and overachievers, including one hard-won lesson that she deems “worth more than any qualification I ever earned.”

Do you know about ALISON? - This website has a lot of free resources to help staff improve their basic skills. ALISON is a free online learning resource for basic and essential workplace skills including study skills.

Some excellent resources for social services

Social Care Institute for Excellence: Free e-Learning resources which provide audio, video and interactive technology to assist in exploring the nature of Personalisation

The Alzheimer Society of Calgary has developed an on-line educational resource called Dementia Basics. As a first step to understanding dementia and the disease process, this resource helps families living with dementia and professionals.

Mental Health Foundation: Assessing Mental Capacity This site has been developed to help staff working in health and social care (including those in the private and voluntary sectors) as well as unpaid carers, to improve the way they assess mental capacity. The Assessment of Mental Capacity Audit Tool (AMCAT) is a simple online tool to help staff and others evaluate, reflect and learn about an assessment of mental capacity they have done.

Free access to a Personal Assistant Induction e-learning course through the Independent Living Association (ILA) West Sussex. 

horsesmouth is an online mentoring platform where people affected by dementia can offer each other informal information and advice. Horsesmouth have teamed up with the Department of Health’s ‘Living Well with Dementia’ programme.

Get Safe Online is particularly useful with lots of clear and useful advice about things that you can do to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and identity theft. try the  quiz  “Just how safe are you?” . 

The best thing about social media tools is that they are easy to get started with and can be very inexpensive.

Twitter is a great way to share and discover what is happening in real time through micro-blogging. Start communicating, sharing and interacting with people using short 140 character text messages. It’s a simple way to network with like minded people. My twitter name @shirleyayres

People who tweet about social learning on twitter

@hjarche

@JaneBozarth

@C4LPT The Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies is a good resource to find out about social media for working and learning

@DonaldClark

@JudithELS

If you were not fortunate enough to win a copy of Jane Harts excellent Social Learning Handbook at #emtech11 you can purchase a copy here  

Professional Development through LinkedIn.  LinkedIn is a professional networking site which enables you to connect with colleagues, share information and join groups to discuss and debate professional issues.

The Advanced Social Work Practice Network (ASWPN) is a group for social work practitioners, academics, employers and partner organisations who wish to support the development of professional leadership in social work

The Personalisation Group to revolutionise social care Delivering quality, efficiency and outcomes to support ordinary lives This group is for passionate people in the sector who just want to get on and do it – make the change where it counts

The Scottish Social Work Network  is a new group which provides opportunities for social workers working in Scotland to network, ask questions and share information.

Why not start your own personal social learning network today! I hope this brief overview of the resources available inspires you to use the internet to explore resources, engage in conversations and share your knowledge and expertise. Please feel free to post your recommendations about good social learning resources here and contact me with your comments and thoughts shirley@shirleyayresconsulting.co.uk  

I have recently joined Aspire Knowledge as Consultant Director Third and Public Sector Knowledge. We have now launched the Third Sector Digital Communications and Social Media Convention 2011  Two days of engaging, inspiring and must have knowledge for the third sector covering all aspects of innovation, developments, leading practice and strategy in digital communications and social media

 

Tags: social care, social learning, social media, social services, Social Work

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At a time when public support is urgently needed for social work and social care why are we not using social media to engage with our stakeholders? One of my favourite videos from Erik Qualman about the phenomenal growth in social media activity during the past two years (and the statistics today are even more impressive). (Video courtesy of @equalman http://www.socialnomics.net)

I agree with Erik – >“it is not a question now about whether you should be involved in social media but how well you do it”

Erik Qualman is the author of Socialnomics: How social media transforms the way we live and do business. “Social Media Revolution was one of 2010′s most viral videos on YouTube.

Tags: Erik Qualman, online communications, social care, social media, Social Work

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Colin Paton

Yes says Colin Paton Senior E-learning Project manager at SCIE who gave a presentation at the Learning Pool London Social Care Briefing last week. The new research from Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) explores E-Readiness in the Social Care Sector and there are some fascinating findings. 

In 2006 SCIE commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake a research programme with the following objectives:

To establish whether the social care sector in England was ready to maximise the use of e-learning in terms of technical and organisational infrastructure and in terms of the availability of e-learning content for social care

To provide an assessment of the capacity of the social care sector as a whole to  use and produce e-learning, in particular in Internet-based learning, and to  exploit its full potential in pursuit of improved services for users and carers

SCIE and Ipsos MORI ran the e-readiness survey in 2006-7 and again in 2010 that looked at the following areas across the social care sector:

 •              Access to IT

•              Usage of e-learning

•              Attitudes towards e-learning

•              Barriers to uptake of e-learning

•              What is good e-learning

•              Support for e-learning

Both surveys polled social care employers and employees from local authorities, the private sector and the voluntary/charitable sector.

From an e-learning perspective it is heartening to see that usage of e-learning as a training methodology has increased across the board since 2006-7. Attitudes from employers are much more positive towards the potential effectiveness of e-learning. They are much more aware that there is good e-learning available out there and feel more confident in supporting the take up of e-learning within their organization. It is worth noting that in both the 2006-7 and 2010 surveys employees demonstrated that they are much more willing to take e-learning training than their employers may have assumed.  There is, of course, still a lack of access to IT in the workplace (in all but local authorities). The 2010 survey reveals that personal access to IT is much higher and this may offer opportunities for e-learning undertaken at home.

The survey will be carried out again in 2011-12 and one can assume that e-learning usage to continue to increase. Key to this however will be a greater awareness of where to find good e-learning resources, greater support for both employers and employees on how to use e-learning most effectively and to select the best resources and a mature policy on home training.

The full 2010 report can be found at: http://www.scie.org.uk/workforce/getconnected/Research.asp

Definitely worth looking at the presentations from the Learning Pool Briefing which included Safeguarding Adults in Warwickshire (Carol Judge) From data protection to dementia (Ed Schrager), Social Care in the 21st Century (Lynn Meaden) with a mention of the Richmond Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy. 

About the author Colin Paton has worked with e-learning inC Latin America and the UK since 1998 and is now Senior E-learning Project manager at SCIE responsible for the development for a range of national e-learning programmes for the social care workforce.

Tags: e learning, online learning, social care, social learning

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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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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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“Social media is a fundamental shift in the way we communicate. All the time online conversations are happening about you, your brand and your organisation. It’s not a choice whether you DO social media, the choice is how well you do it”  Erik Qualman author of socialnomics.

Erik’s video Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh) makes a powerful case for why organisations should have a social media strategy and be actively engaged with social networking. 

Social networking has the potential to put the “social” back into social work and social care. So it is interesting (and depressing) to note how few of our national care organisations are actually engaged and using social media to communicate important messages to an increasingly diverse group of stakeholders.

For me twitter really is the new information network because I am able to share and discover what is happening in the care sector right now. Twitter is a rich source of instantly updated information and it is how I stay updated on an incredibly wide variety of topics.

If you’re wondering what’s the point and how to make the most of twitter a helpful guide from Charles Arthur in the Guardian about the benefits of twitter.

 It is also worth watching The Beginners Guide To Twitter Videofrom Andy Headworth which explains ’What Twitter is’, ‘What Twitter looks like’ and ‘How exactly you get started with Twitter’.

Who is currently on twitter? 

@BASW_UK

@CareQualityComm

@ChildrensComm

@steve_scie

@skillsforcare

Who is not on twitter?

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services

Association of Directors of Adult Social Services

Children’s Workforce Development Council.   

General Social Care Council

National Skills Academy for Social Care

The National Children and Adult Services Conference 3rd – 5th November 2010

Live streaming of keynote presentations, panel discussions and comments tweeted from participants are an increasing feature of conferences. The National Children and Adult Services Conference takes place in Manchester next week. Following the comprehensive spending review this will be an significant event as Directors consider the implications of the budget cuts for front line delivery. This is an ideal opportunity to widen the debate using twitter to encourage comments and questions about the complexity of the care sector.  

I am aware of only one director using twitter and I will be following @stephenslossStrategic Director of Adult Social Care & Health at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council along with @lgaNCAS2010 and @CommunityCare for the latest news at the conference. If you know of any other Directors of Adults or Children’s Services using twitter do let me know!

To provide some encouragement to Social Services Directors you may wish to know about the increasing number of chief executives using  twitter (with thanks to @Council_Chiefs and the Tweetyhall blog Tweeting from the Top)

@johnbarradell  Chief Executive Brighton and Hove

@lwboland  Leo Boland Chief Executive Greater London Authority

@terryhuggins  Chief Executive of Breckland and South Holland Councils

@GibsonGav  Gavin Jones Chief Executive Swindon Borough Council

@ChairSolaceDerek Myers, Chief Executive of Kensington and Chelsea and the Chair of SOLACE

@andrewnorthcbc Chief Executive Cheltenham Borough Council

@martinrreevesof Chief Executive Coventry City Council

@tomriordan Chief Executive Leeds City Council

@DuncanSharkey  Managing Director at Worcester City Council

As a knowledge management and communications consultancy we are committed to empowering people through knowledge and developing skills through communication. About Shirley Ayres Consulting

Tags: ADASS, adcs, be inspired, NCAS2010, social care, social media, social work is complex and challenging, twitter

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Social media has the power to encourage social interaction and build both online and offline communities.  Social media provides a new way to engage, connect and link with people who use and provide social care services.

Coming this week my thoughts about: 

How social media  “savvy” are social care organisations?

Who is blogging, tweeting, connecting through LinkedIn and Facebook and posting YouTube videos?

Twitter – the paradoxical answer to information overload and the secret of paper.li

How public sector workers are responding to the budget cuts and redundancy via blogs and tweets.

Innovative examples of local authorities using social media to connect with their citizens

Using social media to support children in care. The launch of a unique resource ~ the Click Guide to Children’s Services

Tags: be inspired, encouraging innovation, social care, social media, Social Work

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“Social media is a fundamental shift in the way that we communicate. All the time online conversations are happening about you, your brand and your organisation. “it’s not a choice about whether you DO social media, the choice is how well you do it” ~ Erik Qualman”

Social media provides organisations with an easy way to connect with stakeholders, share information and discuss developments and policy initiatives. Can social work and social care continue to ignore the growing influence of social media? I am currently researching how many of our national organisations are actively engaging and having conversations with stakeholders through the use of social media.  There are an increasing number of local authorities using social media and the development of the Local Government Group Knowledge Hub is an exciting development. But in this connected age it is disappointing to note how few national social care organisations have the basics of  a twitter account, updated blog posts, LinkedIn profiles and a facebook page.

Some interesting social media facts & figures from the UK’s market (compiled by SimplyZesty):

• 85% of the population is online
• 1/3 have uploaded to a video sharing site
• 1/4 write blogs
• If Facebook was a country it would have over 500 million citizens 

Worth looking at the videso Social media in the UK 2010

Is social media a fad? A refresh of the original Erik Qualman video The Social Media Revolution

Is using social media effectively the big challenge for social work?

Tags: communications, facebook, linkedin, social care, social media, Social Work, twitter

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