Personalisation Conference “Just Enough Support” BoltonJune 2010

Harsh Reality

Background Thinking Day with John O’Brien Need to go deeper 2 follow on days Support that goes beyond paid staff Why = A Given How = The Challenge

“All Together Now” Collectively figuring out how to develop alternatives to just paid support Money’s Too Tight To Mention Contenders

Harsh Reality

Danger = Simplistic Solutions Larger Group Homes Reduced Funding Pay even lower salaries

Recent History - Reasonably Well Funded Services??  A tendency to over support people  A lack of experimentation as it’s kind of working  Insufficient dissatisfaction to generate change

Story Format Describe the story in one paragraph In terms of informal/ community/ technology support, what was the contribution to the person’s support How did you go about getting/developing the informal/community support Describe the paid support in the arrangement; how did it change with informal support Outline the costs of the support What is your key learning in terms of things worth doing again What is your key learning in terms of things to avoid doing

Terry 30 + years of unsuitable living arrangements Individually designed support V compliance strategy 2 bed bungalow in development for older people Became regular at Working Men’s Club Other members included couple of staff  OK by association Accident – dealt with, no fuss

Michelle Severe reputation Inappropriate place in Group Home & severe reputation Family equally concerned & desperate to find solution, use of I. B. P. C. Review  Flat for 2 Collective figuring it out to I. D. barriers to own place Use of technology, belief in capacity & resourcefulness, and family involvement

Four Key Themes: Different ways of people receiving the right support:- Reduction - Replacement - New models Gaining the trust of families and people supported Looking to your community Working together to flourish

Top Tips / Messages From the outset, explore how paid formal support can complement/supplement support from family and friends. Figure things out together. Celebrate good attempts. Create a culture of experimentation There is a danger that community members see little or no need to become involved in the lives of disabled people because ‘staff are there to do that’ We all grow and develop when we receive the right level of support. Over protection can be as harmful as under support Employ local people for their local knowledge and connections

Conclusion Need exists, regardless of funding pressures, to seriously reflect on how services are commissioned and provided Our attempts to develop alternatives to just paid support and to assist people to connect / contribute have lacked urgency The harsh reality is here and danger of ill thought out, simplistic solutions if we don’t take the initiative The paper is a contribution to the need to stop and think. It’s work in progress

SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING AND IT’S JUST INCREDIBLY PATHETIC IT HAS TO BE US GERRY GARCIA