1. Building Bridges to a Good Life:
A review of asset based working with people with learning disabilities
Di McNeish & Sara Scott

2. Purpose of the review Define what asset based working means
Find out whether it’s relevant for people with learning disabilities
Describe the range of asset based working across Scotland and provide some examples
Find out what difference this kind of working makes for people with learning disabilities – and for other people in their communities
Make some recommendations for policy and practice

3. Policy Context
‘Keys to Life’ makes it clear that people with learning disabilities should have choice, control and independence
More self-directed care means looking at what people want to do and draw on their assets and resources
The Community Empowerment Act says communities should have more say and control
Less money and cuts in services means doing things differently

4. Asset based working….
Identifies and emphasises strengths and assets of individuals and communities
Highlights the potential of people and communities
Fully involves people and communities as co-producers rather than passive recipients
Promotes community networks and relationships that can provide mutual support and empowerment
Supports people’s personal resources – their knowledge, coping strategies, resilience skills
Empowers people to create and control resources (including buildings, funds etc)
Adapted from principles – Foot & Hopkins, 2010

5. Not a single model but a way of working
Has its origins in community development – place-based approaches to mobilise the assets of neighbourhoods
Based around values and principles
Can encompass a spectrum of activities
Can be supported by a range of tools and techniques such as asset mapping, appreciative inquiry
Lots in common with approaches not necessarily termed ‘asset based’ e.g. personalisation, advocacy, local area co-ordination – and some ‘older’ terms like participation, empowerment

6. Person Worker or volunteer Hobbyist, creative, socialite
Consumer
Community member
Citizen/political activist

7. Examples …. Wee Enterprizers Tayberry Cantraybridge
The Advocacy Project
C-Change – Dates n Mates
Highland Health & Happiness
And many more….

8. Approaches that are more asset based:
Usually take place in mainstream settings and include people with a range of abilities
Derive from the interests & wishes of the people involved
Are decided and planned by people themselves
Give opportunities for people to develop
Offer opportunities to share learning with each other
Have activities which are satisfying in themselves and also increase social networks, build confidence and acquire transferable skills

9. Example of asset based values from Neighbourhood Networks
We believe that:  
Everyone is different and we should all be respected and encouraged to be "All we can be"
Everyone should be encouraged to strive towards their dreams and goals
There should be a healthy balance between responsibility and having time to enjoy life  
Sharing skills and gifts makes us stronger and giving and receiving support is important to help us grow
We can all be involved in making where we live, work and socialise a better place
We feel safer when we have positive, equal relationships with others and this is important to feeling we belong

10. Barriers to asset based approaches
Attitudes and habits which focus on deficits
Risk aversion/protectiveness
Time
Assessment, planning & funding systems based on what people can’t do
Vested interests – making money

11. Asset based working with people with learning disabilities
Should mean working alongside people to co-produce the activities that will promote their wellbeing
Should mean that community initiatives actively involve people
Should create the conditions for people to participate – including recognising and responding to their support needs
Should mean that people are visible as active participants at all levels from personal choice as individuals through to being members of their communities through to being citizens of Scotland
So lots of ‘shoulds’ – to what extent is this happening?

12. Evidence
We still don’t know very much about the difference asset based working makes
Few descriptions of asset based approaches in learning disability
Little recording of who participates in community development initiatives
Very little on ‘what works’
Does this matter?

13. Issues and challenges
Talks a lot about communities – but everyone in the community isn’t the same, and they’re not always treated equally. This can get ignored.
Just looking at peoples’ assets and strengths can ignore issues of unfairness and deprivation. Sometimes it’s what’s wrong or unfair which brings people together to change things.
Using the assets of the community to support people can be used as a cheap alternative to properly funded services

14. For discussion
How do you take an asset based approach and not ignore injustice and inequality?
How can place based initiatives ensure they include people with learning disabilities?
How can we get better evidence for showing benefits of asset based approaches?