Module 8 Information and Signposting Self Care Training

8.1 On completion of this module learners will:  Have knowledge of signposting individuals and explore the best ways to do this  Recognise the importance of gathering ‘ information ’ to support individuals to self care  Understand how to support people to access self care programmes and support networks to increase their self care skills Module 8 outcomes

 Signposting is supporting a person to gather information about their long term condition  Signposting is letting the person know about other services in their communities that can support their self care  Signposting is connecting individuals with others in their position so they can learn more about their long term conditions Signposting is TAKING ACTION! 8.2 What is signposting?

 Many local authorities will have a local directory of services that you can access  This will provide the right information, support and guidance to people who are interested in finding out more about self care  If you cannot access a directory of services then speak to your supervisor and they will support you to find the right information  Work with the person you are supporting, their next of kin and support networks to access information How do I signpost?

Gathering information may help people to self care. Where are the places you could go to find information for them? 8.4 Group discussion

Introduce information leaflets to the people you support:  This is often the first step for them to learn more about their long term conditions  Having more information can make a person more confident to want to self care  Offer to read the information for them or find alternative formats for those with identified disabilities  Gather as much information as you can! Gather information

8.6 The rules of information The information that is given to individuals must always be:  Appropriate  Clear  Useful  Agreed

Having more information on their long term conditions may lead a person to:  Do nothing  Be unsure of what to do next  Ask for more information and support  Set a goal to learn new skills to manage their self care 8.7 Knowing more leads to…

8.8 Self Care Education Programmes Community Services Support Networks The key areas to signpost are…

Within self care education there are two main routes for people to learn more about their long term condition (LTC) and how to self care for them. 1. Disease-specific programmes One-to-one programmes to learn more about the particular LTC Run by health care professionals in the community Goals are set to support individuals to self care 2. ‘ Expert patient ’ programmes People helping other people with long term conditions Focus on the symptoms of long term conditions People learn to self care and take control over their symptoms Self care education

Being active and involved in the community can motivate individuals to take control over their symptoms and better self care. There are a number of community services that individuals can join: The benefits of community services can be to: Relieve Stress - Improve Sleep - Improve Circulation - Prevent Mental Health from worsening Swimming, Meditation, Keep Fit Classes, Cooking Classes, Walking Groups, Singing Groups, Craft Classes, Dancing Classes, Yoga Classes, Rehabilitation Classes 8.10 Community Services

Support groups are a good way for individuals to share their experiences and challenges They can be specific and meet the cultural or religious or personal needs of individuals, e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous; Multicultural Support Groups; Bereavement Support Groups; Gay, Lesbian or Transgender Groups Often informal, they support individuals to learn ‘self care tips’ from others and put them into practice, e.g. Stroke Association; Diabetes UK; Arthritis Care; British Heart Foundation Support networks

The key benefits of signposting to other services for the people you support are:  They begin to learn more about their long term conditions  They become active in choosing how to take control over their conditions  They are likely to be healthier in themselves and minimize the symptoms they suffer  They are likely to reduce the number of times they go into hospital or respite care  They will become more independent of others and meet new friends  They will have a longer life expectancy 8.12 Benefits of signposting

Self Care Training Manual: Implementing the Common Core principles for Self Care © Skills for Care, Albion Court, 5 Albion Place, Leeds LS1 6JL. All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced for non-commercial distribution in aid of social care workforce development, provided the copyright notices and acknowledgements are included in each reproduction. Requests for commercial publishing rights should be directed to Skills for Care. Referencing: Short reference: Skills for Care, 2009 Long reference: Skills for Care, Self Care Training Manual: Implementing the Common Core Principles for Self Care (Skills for Care, Leeds, 2009) Acknowledgements: This material was commissioned from jdee Training and Lancashire County Council by Skills for Care’s New Types of Worker programme in the north west. It was researched and compiled by Shaun Douglas Galley and Sarah Johnson.