Personalisation and Positive Risk Taking – creating better outcomes and keeping people safe.

Perceptions of risk. Safeguarding is a social care issue. Language of “abuse”. Duty of care. Mental Capacity Act. No Secrets. Putting People First.

The balance of power is shifting. A new approach. “The governing principle behind good approaches to risk is that people have the right to live their lives to the full as long as that does not stop others from doing the same.” (Independence, choice and risk: a guide to best practice in supported decision making – DH, 2007.) The balance of power is shifting.

The Personalised world: Re-ablement & Prevention Self-Directed Support Individual & Personal Budgets Community Capacity Building

The Keys to Citizenship. Self-determination - I am at greater risk of abuse if I cannot direct my life, if I cannot communicate and if I am not listened to. Direction - I am at greater risk of abuse if my life does not suit my preferences or character and if I am perceived by others as lacking social value. Money - I am at greater risk of abuse if I lack money or if I cannot control my own money. Home - I am at greater risk of abuse if I cannot control who I live with, who comes into my home and if I cannot protect my privacy. Support - I am at greater risk of abuse if I’ve no one to help me and if I cannot control who helps me. Community life - I am at greater risk of abuse if I am not part of my community, if people do not know me and I have no chance to contribute to it. Rights - I am at greater risk of abuse if there is no publicly understood and enforced protection for me from the abuse of my rights.

Personalisation decreases the risk of abuse. Stronger citizens are less likely to become victims of abuse. Stronger communities will be more alert to the risk of abuse.

Personalisation is good risk management. Flexible Resources targeted at outcomes: Instead of offering people service slots that may or may not be suitable, SDS identifies the right level of funding given the particular situation and needs of the individual. Resources are no longer locked into services which may be inappropriate or inadequate to meet individual needs. Instead resources are used creatively to support people to solve their problems, build on their capacities and make better use of their positive social or community connections.

Personalisation is good risk management. High quality planning: SDS demands that social workers work in partnership with citizens to design the most appropriate support package for them. Risk assessment: SDS offers an excellent process for clarifying responsibilities about risk through truly person centered approaches and a reliance on the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. Outcomes review: Outcomes not processes are the focus of the review and the design of the outcomes focused review is an integral part of the risk management process for the local authority.

In summary. The personalisation of social care requires a cultural shift: person centred thinking and working in practice a focus on outcomes not services a positive approach to risk.

“A ship in harbour is safe – but that is not what ships are for.” Final thoughts “A ship in harbour is safe – but that is not what ships are for.”

Thanks for listening. Louise Close. In Control England. www.in-control.org.uk