1. Community Care Live 16 th May 2012 The independent social work practice A model for the future of adult social care? Hugh Constant – Social Care Institute for Excellence Graham Wilkin/David Rose – First Point Caroline Carr – Sensing Change

2. How it began  Announced by Andrew Lansley - November 2010  Social Work Practices are organisations that are led by social workers but independent of the local authority  Following on from pilots in children’s social work

3. Aims of the project  To pilot Social Work Practices for adults and explore outcomes for  people who use services  social workers  other staff  value for money  To test the benefits of professionally led social enterprise as a means of delivery  To further the development of social work with adults

4. Social Work Practice Pilots

5. In the background  Evaluation  Developmental research  Support  Social Enterprise  Sponsor

6. Potential advantages  More responsive  Less bureaucracy  Fewer constraints  Better fit with personalisation  More innovation  Community links  More job satisfaction

7. Potential pitfalls  Ongoing dependence on local authority  Costs  Sustainability  Privatisation by the back door  Loss of local links

8. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH The Surrey Social Work Pilot Graham Wilkin – Surrey County Council

9. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH The Independent Social Work Pilot Aims More responsive Greater involvement with users and carers Value for money

10. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Key stakeholders Staff Unison Service users and carers –Surrey Deaf Forum –Surrey Hard of Hearing Forum FirstPoint

11. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH An independent social work-led social enterprise FirstPoint Mission statement: A fresh specialist approach to access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people by providing support in communication and social care; and promoting opportunities.

12. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Awareness and Communication Strategy Open, Inclusive and Accountable. Formal Consultation Legal Context Business Plans Governance Liabilities

13. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Key components Social work Interpreting service Equipment service FirstPoint

14. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Social work benefits Greater freedom to make decisions More inclusive of people who use services and carers Greater accountability More flexibility in working practice and improved responsiveness due to minimising the level of bureaucracy

15. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Case study Person A, a Deaf BSL user – visual communication only Placed out of county SKYPE online communication – allows for a quick response saving time, resources and money

16. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Going Forward  Maintain the steering Board  Appointed Director  Commissioned service  Developing opportunities with Health  Income generation potential.

17. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH The future for Social Work Practice Right to Challenge (Localism Bill) Integration ? Freedom to Innovate and create Advance professional Identity and promotes further possibilities for the profession.

18. Hard of Hearing, Deaf & Interpreting Services CIC Company No. 7847992 (Formerly Deaf Services Team & Surrey Interpreting Agency) FAIRMOUNT HOUSE, BULL HILL, LEATHERHEAD, KT22 7AH Thank You. The future for Social Work Practice

20. Who are SensingChange? 1 st of 7 pilots to launch on 1 st October 2011 Social Enterprise - company limited by guarantee Provide services to adults with sight and hearing loss or dual sensory loss in Suffolk 45 employees Not just a ‘social work’ practice Contract with SCC

21. Why did we become a pilot Specialist team SCC plans for divestment of services Plan A Opportunity from DOH Steering Group Set up within 7 months Seconded Staff

22. Governance Managed by a Board of 6 Directors Strategic direction and planning for the future Ensure day to day operations run smoothly Sensing Change carries out its legal duties as a registered company under company law – filing accounts, tax returns

23. Aims Improve outcomes for customers Increase job satisfaction for staff Develop areas that could generate income Become a sustainable business by the end of the pilot period

24. Advantages for customers Direct referrals Easier access to staff Waiting times reduced Developing business relationships Publicity – raises awareness Stigma of ‘social services’ removed – more likely to engage Consultation exercise and user groups established Use of social media

26. Advantages for staff Allows more freedom, flexibility, creativity Less bureaucracy, red tape! Challenges ahead – but it feels good, positive Exciting to be part of something that’s different – the sky’s the limit – history in the making An opportunity to learn new skills – roles are less defined More potential to follow interests Achieving our challenges Watching people flourish!

27. Challenges! Culture Change – vital! Creative and innovative team anyway – how do we find ways to improve Sustainability post pilot – planning now – need to generate income Securing long term contract – no going back Learning curve is steep – sales and marketing, design and branding..V.A.T!! Professional help comes at a cost Time!

28. Social Worker Quote “Social Work is about listening to peoples issues and being with them when they are experiencing periods of change and uncertainty. This is an emotionally draining job. I feel supported in my role at Sensing Change as they value the social work qualification I have and see me as a professional, able to make my own professional judgements by using social work skills and the knowledge I have of law and policy. This is what I trained for”.