A newspaper from Partners for Inclusion // Summer 2012 // Edition 01

If disabled people are in the ring

line, how will people supported by
Partners get on? Laura Wardrop at
Partners cautions that there will
inevitably be an impact. Theres no
doubt that the changes to Disability
Living Allowance (DLA) are going to
be difcult for some more than
others.
My particular worry is about
people whose needs arent
immediately obvious. If you can see
that someone needs support, its
more difcult to cut their benets.
The system is geared to them. But
when it comes to people whose
needs arent so visible for example,
people with autism, aspergers,
mental health problems the forms
dont ask the right questions. Its too
easy to use the things they can do as
an excuse to ignore the support they
need.
Its the same story with the
Employment Support Allowance,
which will replace Income Support
and Incapacity Benet. People will be
assessed as capable or not capable
of work. There is considerable
controversy about this assessment
which has declared people with, for
example, terminal cancer t for work.
Similarly, assessment of the
mobility component of DLA,
>PAGE 3
1.9% of population
shoulder 24% of
cuts
Government reforms target the most vulnerable
Chancellor George Osborne says times are tough but were
all in it together. Should we be reassured? Not according to
a Manifesto published by the Campaign for a Fair Society,
which says 23.7 billon of the cuts (58%) will hit disabled,
older people and those living in poverty. 1.9% of people
those with the most severe impairments will shoulder a
quarter of all cuts. Some of us are more in it than others, it
seems.
P
artners for Inclusion
provides tailor-made support
so that people with learning
disabilities and mental health
issues have their own home, a real
place in community and control
over their life. This is our frst
newspaper. Its a tabloid: no need
to fle under important: must read
one day. Flick through, see what
grabs your attention. If people like
it, therell be two papers a year.
Please tell us what you think.
SERIOUSLY
THINGS ARE
REALLY GOING TO
CHANGE
PARTNERS NEW
BOOK FEATURES
FIVE FREEDOM
FIGHTERS
FLOURISHING
FRIENDSHIPS
DM2 GETS THE
PARTY STARTED
Contact
Dates and Mates Ayrshire
About us
Sign in Help Join us
Calendar
Accessibility
Home News Members
CUTS TO
PARTNERS: IS
THIS A GOOD
TIME TO PANIC?
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 2
Publishing
Information
The Partners Paper is a
newspaper produced and
distributed by Partners for
Inclusion, a not-for-proft
organisation and registered
charity providing high quality
support to individuals with
learning and/or mental health
disabilities.
Registered ofce
Partners for Inclusion
West Kirk
84 Portland Street
Kilmarnock
KA3 1AA
Production
Editor: Carl Poll
carlpoll@btinternet.com
Design: Henry Iles
design@henryiles.com
Print: Quotemeprint
www.quotemeprint.com
Contents
1.9% of population shoulder
24% of cuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Team talk: mums the word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A revolution in social care? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Learning to love Carista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Everything you always wanted to
know about services (but were
afraid to ask) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Qualifying success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Things are going to change
seriously! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sun, sea and sangria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Freedom fght . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Just Connections: the same
but diferent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A good time to panic? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Flourishing friendships - DM2
gets the party started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
My week in pictures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Highs and lows of leading a team . . . . 12
Role call: The jobs people
do for Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Labels are for jars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Local authority charging and
Joe Bloggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Health and safety news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Risky business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Beyond Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Up close with... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Benefts worries
If you get support from
Partners (or are involved with
someone who does) and you
have concerns about benefts,
please contact Laura Wardrop
at Partners:
Tel: 01563 825555
Email: Laura.Wardrop@
partnersforinclusion.org
You can also get information
from your local welfare rights
department at your council.
Also, try your Citizens Advice
Bureau.
Who works for
Partners?
293 staff work for Partners:
208 support workers
55 team leaders
11 service leaders
Two senior service leaders
Chief executive and three
directors
14 central staf that support all
the teams.
Cover picture
The painting featured on the
cover is called Flying Fishy! by
Kelsey McDowall
Kelsey has been with Just
Connections for two and a
half years. She enjoys lots
of diferent activities but
especially enjoys art, card
making, sports and music and
dance at her local college in
Girvan, where she has made
lots of new friends.
Partners Gold
Award
The Investors in People
Gold Award has been given
to Partners for excellence
in leading, managing and
developing staf.
Cathy Jamieson MP did the
honours by unveiling a plaque
to celebrate the achievement.
Cathy said Im very proud
to have been a part of the
celebrations to honour the
leadership and work of
Partners for Inclusion ... a
small charity thats making a
big diference to the lives of the
people it works with and this
award celebrates the dedication
and passion of all of its staf.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 3
Cuts
Continued from page 1
focuses on whether people can
or cant physically walk. Laura
Wardrop comments If someone
isnt assessed as needing the high
rate of DLA, then they cant apply
for a Motability vehicle. If that
person cant use public transport
because of their hidden needs,
that can lead to all sorts of other
problems.This shortsighted
approach will be familiar to
anyone whos had dealings
with the funding of services. Its
common sense that prevention
is better than cure and there
are plenty of government papers
saying exactly that. But the reality
is that local authorities make it
harder and harder to get a service.
Raising eligibility thresholds
means that, in many authorities,
you can only get a service when
youre at crisis point.
It would be much cheaper and
more efcient to support people
to stay out of crisis by helping
them to be as independent
as they can be. It would make
sense to help people use their
own resources and nd support
outside the system through
relationships with ordinary
people family, neighbours,
friends, workmates. Its not as
if professional help is the be-all
and end-all. Families and carers
already provide ve times more
support than professionals,
according to the Campaign for a
Fair Society.
Web site links...
www.campaignforafairsociety.org
Team talk: mums the word
Fay is not team leader because
shes Kelseys mum. Quite the
contrary. Such an arrangement is
rare, maybe unique in Scotland.
Id been working for Partners for
three years and was involved in
Kelseys support at the beginning,
until a team was found. When the
rst team leader left, we couldnt
nd the right replacement. We
live in Girvan. Its a small place
surrounded by countryside. It was
going to be difcult to nd a local
team leader and we didnt want
to move to some place where no-
one knew Kelsey.
ID BE LYING IF I SAID ITS
STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT CAN
BE TRICKY. IN EVERY ASPECT
OF KELSEYS SUPPORT, THERE
ARE TWO VOICES IN MY
MIND
I approached Partners with the
idea of applying for the job. Some
organisations would rule that
straight out of court. But Partners
and Just Connections didnt. The
Care Commission didnt either,
just so long as I didnt live in the
same property as Kelsey. That was
Fay Scobie says being team leader of her daughters
service is great and sometimes tricky
Kelsey has a support service provided by Just
Connections. Fay is the team leader and also Kelseys
mum. Unusual? Denitely. A good idea?
Fay thinks so.
ok because she lives in her own
place two minutes away from me.
So I applied and went through
the same process as anyone else
who goes for a job with Just
Connections. It denitely wasnt a
foregone conclusion that Id get it.
In leading the team that
supports Kelsey, Fay has a head
start. Parents know every detail of
their childrens support needs and
Kelsey needs a lot of support. She
has a team of four who support
her round the clock.
Kelseys had a hard time growing
up, says Fay. She has a rare genetic
disorder and has profound physical
and learning disabilities. Shes had
a lot of surgery. But shes cheerful,
lively and loving and cheeky with
it. Shes also very sociable. Loves
college, music, playing cards and
games like skittles. Shes also a
whiz on her iPad. Shes good at
navigating her way to the things
she likes movies, audio stories
and youtube. She also has all the
details of her support service on
there, laid out as presentations
people on her team, her schedule
for the week, her planning day all
with voiceovers.
So, if its such a good
arrangement, why arent there
more parent team leaders or
support workers?
Partly, says Fay, its down
to Partners being open to
ideas being creative. But also
its denitely not for every
parent. Id be lying if I said its
straightforward. It can be tricky. In
every aspect of Kelseys support,
there are two voices in my mind
one is the team leader taking
decisions that help Kelsey to
push forward and become more
independent. The other voice
belongs to the mother, with all
those instincts about protecting
her and making sure shes
safe. Most staff dont have this
dilemma. They just have to do a
good job. I have to stay conscious
all the time of whos speaking
the mother or the team leader
and do a good job. I dont always
get this right and thats probably
hard for the other team members.
But theyre brilliant. Theyre very
patient with me.
MY ADVICE? FIND YOUR
WAY OF HELPING YOUR
SON OR DAUGHTER TO BE
INDEPENDENT SO THAT THEY
WEATHER THE STORM IF YOU
GO FIRST
Would Fay advise other parents to
follow her example?
We cant be the only ones
this would work for and there
are massive advantages. But,
make no mistake: its not easy.
Everyones situation is different.
When Kelsey was about 14, I knew
I had to nd a way for her to be
independent so that, if anything
happened to me, things wouldnt
fall apart. I guess thats the only
advice I have. Not Be your son
or daughters team leader, but
Find your way of helping them
to be independent so that they
weather the storm if you go rst
and maybe, for some people, that
way would be to become a team
leader.
Team leader and
mother: Fay with her
daughter, Kelsey
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 4
A revolution in
social care?
People taking control of their support money, getting
family and friends to help plan the support, spending
money creatively a holiday rather than respite care!
Can this be real? Is there a revolution going on?
No-one has stormed parliament
but something big is happening
self-directed support.
A bill is making its way through
the Scottish Parliament and is likely
to be passed later this year.
Self-directed support is exactly
what it says: people who need
support get control over how it
is arranged and how they spend
the money. You should be able
to take as much control as you
want. You can do it all yourself
employ staff, keep the books or
pay an organisation to do the
administration for you. If you want
the council to carry on organising
your support, you can.
The new system will build on
Direct Payments (DPs) which have
been around for almost 15 years.
But, in self-directed support, you
should be able to spend the money
more exibly and not be restricted
to paying for direct care. So, in
theory, you could buy a friendly
neighbour a meal for a few hours
support with doing the shopping.
This would be cheaper than a
care agency. Then theres more
money for support with other
things. A man in England, where
self-directed support has been
government policy since 2007,
bought a football season ticket for
a neighbour who helped him get
to the ground and back and stayed
with him during the match. This
was cheaper and better. He went to
matches with a football fan rather
than someone paid to be there.
The big question, says Partners
chief executive, Doreen Kelly, is
how much exibility will councils
allow people to have? If people are
allowed to use money creatively, it
can be their ticket into community
life and a real place as an equal
citizen. If theyre forced to spend
it on care, probably little will
change. Most likely, it will vary
between the two. But its a massive
opportunity.
As councils in England have
found, its a big and difcult
change. Its like getting a cricket
team to switch to football when
they dont know crickets rules
and have never seen a match.
Its hard to do it gradually play
half football and half cricket for a
while. And you cant be perfect at
it before you start. Thats another
worry, says Doreen. There are
early signs that councils spend
too much time trying to get the
systems perfect before using
them. You cant do that. You have
to learn by doing.
Web links...
www.selfdirectedsupportscotland.org.uk
www.centreforwelfarereform.org
www.in- control.org
The lowdown on Carista
Carista is a computer programme designed
especially for Partners. Because its on the
web, service leaders and team leaders can
access information without having to be in
the ofce. Carista:
contains all information about rotas,
timesheets, Individual Service Funds,
annual planners and more.
has a database of information
about people we support and the staff.
replaces paper forms such as
timesheets.
calculates annual leave entitlements
(which can be very complicated).
keeps on-call information up to date.
has a budget tool that does away with
trawling through papers looking for
rates of pay and other details.
Learning to love Carista
Jill Barbour describes how staff have been on a bit of a journey with
Carista, Partners information management system a computer
programme. It may sound dull but its made a real difference.
All the practical information you need to run
a service is put into Carista time sheets,
Individual Service Funds, rotas everything.
It helps us access reliable information much
quicker.
When we switched from paper forms to
Carista, some staff struggled especially those
who had never used a computer. There was
a good deal of training and guring it out
together.
Some staff who had never touched a
computer before were worried about the
change. In the end, though, they turned out
to be really good at Carista because they
put so much effort in and were proud of
their personal development. Everyone is on
board now. The benets are obvious. All the
paperwork is in one place. Information is
at our ngertips. Theres no more frantic
searching for that lost piece of paper or
hunting for details of pay or holidays.
It probably doesnt take less time to use but
its much more efcient. Its easy to see how
often staff get support and supervision, the
hours of support provided, budget information
and lots more.
We did a review recently. There are some
niggling problems and were going to tackle
those. Then Its on to Carista phase two.
More information
Jill.Barbour@partnersforinclusion.org
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 5
Q

This issues question is:
Partners talks about
people being involved
in community. But what can
people with learning disabilities
really contribute?
A social work manager asked this question a
few years ago. Instead of getting annoyed or
offended, lets treat it as a straight question.
Take a close look at ourselves and were
a bundle of positives and negatives. If we
think of our negatives, we might come up
with a list like this: overweight, neurotic,
drink too much, lazy, disorganised, hopeless
with money, self-pitying and so on.
If we take this list as being the whole
me, we may nd it difcult to get up in
the morning. Well each need a multi-
disciplinary team.
We have to remember we have a list
of pluses as well. People with learning
disabilities are no different. Like everyone,
they need support with some things. But
they also have things they can offer their
own qualities and skills.
If we think of some of the people who use
Partners support, we easily come up with
a list like this: welcoming, a good laugh,
honest, assertive, wicked sense of humour,
great memory, good at: dog-walking,
organising, computers.
Part of our job is to help people nd a
place in communities where these skills are
welcome. If someone is strong and loves to
dig all day, theyll probably be welcomed by
a group renovating a piece of land. It doesnt
matter if the digger has some unusual
behaviour.
Even if you leave aside the question of
rights everyone should have the right to
their place in community, to be a citizen
communities are simply better when
everyone is included. The more a community
is made up of people who look, do and think
the same, the less interesting it is.
So, yes, people with learning disabilities
and mental health issues can contribute to
communities. And the more they do, the
better the community is.
The next question is: what else can
Partners do to help people play their part in
community?
Questions
If you have a question that youd like to ask
anonymously, email: carlpoll@btinternet.com
*We borrowed the title from the Woody Allen
lm, Everything you always wanted to know
about sex (but were afraid to ask).
Everything you always wanted
to know about services (but
were afraid to ask)*
Partners answers this editions awkward question
Everyone probably has nagging doubts about how to support people
with learning disabilities and mental health issues things were not
sure of but we dont think its ok to talk about. Maybe we think its
not politically correct or think we should know already. So we carry on
having the doubt. This column will ask questions and give Partners
answer.
Qualifying
success
Partners support staff have to
register with the Scottish Social
Services Council. We are making
sure that everyone who works for
Partners is qualied and registered.
Support workers
Support workers need a qualication of SVQ2
or above in order to register. In May 2012,
Partners had 208 Support Workers. Of these:
97 (47%) held a recognised qualication in
health and social care; 31 (15%) were working
towards their chosen qualications; 15 (7%)
were waiting to start; 65 (31%) were still
deciding what qualication route to choose.
Team leaders
Team leaders need SVQ3 level 3 or above and a
rst line management qualication at 15 credit
points or above. In May, of Partners 55 team
leaders: 38 (69%) already had a social care
qualication at the right level; 6 (11%) were
working towards their qualication; 11(20%)
were waiting to start.
Service leaders
Service leaders need a qualication in health
and social care equivalent to an SVQ level 4
or above and a management qualication in
health and social care at 60 credits or above.
In May, of the 13 service leaders: 4 (31%) had a
relevant social care qualication; 2 (15%) were
working towards their chosen qualication;
5 (39%) needed their qualications checked
when the register opens; 2 (15%) were waiting
to start.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 6
Things are going to
change seriously!
Carl Poll talks to Jacqui Kerr, East Ayrshire Social Work
I was about to interview Jacqui Kerr and wondering how we were going to make
this interesting. I wanted to ask her about the East Ayrshire Integrated Resource
Framework. Have you switched off already? Dont. Its fascinating honestly.
I put it to Jacqui that the jargon
is a turn-off to anyone who isnt a
social-services-meeting junky.
Ok, long name but its simple
really. There were too many
services out there doing their own
thing. Different providers working
with the same person would
overlap or couldnt use their time
and resources efciently. It didnt
make sense. We wanted to make it
all more sensible more coherent.
The people who are losing out
are the ones who use the support.
So weve gone back to them 90
people with learning difculties
who have quite high support needs
to nd out what makes sense
for them. Two workers one from
Social Work, one from Health are
doing intensive assessments with
them: 21 so far. Its about making
the funding work for individuals.
If its working for people with
learning difculties, theres no
reason we cant extend it to mental
health and people on the autistic
spectrum. Thats the intention.
On the work plan, there are some
big aims. Consider this: Culture
of prevention and enablement
[will be] jointly established across
all services. I put it to Jacqui that
authorities have been going on for
half a century about prevention
but that services are still rationed
out to people in crisis.
...A MORE PREVENTIVE
APPROACH. ITS NOT JUST TALK
AND THERES NO RED TAPE
This whole thing comes from the
Scottish Government which wants
to use health resources better
move some into social services and
take a more preventive approach.
Its not just talk. Now, in East
Ayrshire, If youre supporting
someone who, say, lives in their
own home, has challenging
behaviour and things get difcult
on a Friday afternoon, you can
get extra funding straightaway to
get over the crisis. No red tape. A
senior ofcer from Social Work and
one from Health make an instant
decision.
THERES GOING TO BE A
MASSIVE SHIFT. PEOPLE WILL
BE ABLE TO HAVE AS MUCH
CONTROL AS THEY WANT OVER
THEIR FUNDING AND SUPPORT
OK, so far, so convincing. But, if I
come back in two years, what will
have changed? Jacqui is condent.
This big change is tied in to
another big change self-directed
support. The bill is going through
parliament right now. Theres going
to be a massive shift. People will
be able to have as much control as
they want over their funding and
support. Weve watched whats
happened in England, where
self-directed support has been
government policy for ve years
and weve done our own Scottish
pilots. Were being careful. We
think we can get this right.
Jacqui dismisses the idea that
the Resource Framework is a
way of making a smaller, more
manageable pool of support
providers.
Providers are on board. They
want things to be organised
more sensibly. They were telling
us that, for example, if they
were supporting someone at
night and someone nearby was
getting support from a different
organisation, it would make sense
for the two providers to cooperate
rationalise their cover.
Partners for Inclusion have
been an important ally in working
all this out. They are pioneers in
individualised services. Weve used
their expertise and experience.
Also, theyve blazed a trail for other
bigger providers which are starting
to follow some of their footsteps.
Jacqui Kerr is Team Manager for
Adult Services and Service Ofcer
in Contract & Commissioning, East
Ayrshire Social Work.
Five things worth
knowing about the
Integrated Resource
Framework
1
Its more interesting
than it sounds. Its about
people getting a better
service. Till now services havent
always been provided in a
sensible way.
2
People with learning
disabilities are involved.
90 people with learning
disabilities in East Ayrshire will
get intensive assessments to
work out what will work best for
them. Then it will be rolled out
to others.
3
Service providers are for
it. Organisations that
offer services could feel
threatened but it seems they
dont. They want services to be
organised more rationally.
4
Its part of a bigger
change self-directed
support. The framework
is tied into the Scottish
governments plans for a new
system of social care self-
directed support. See page 4: A
revolution in social care?
5
Partners has helped.
Partners for Inclusions
experience in
individualised services has
inuenced the design of the
Framework.
Jacqui Kerr: Its not all talk.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 7
I love all the preparations:
shopping for swimwear and
summer clothes. Thats what
us girls are best at!
I like going all-inclusive.
I get to sample different
foods and check out the local
cocktails.
WHEN IM ON HOLIDAY I
RELAX BY THE POOL, CHILL
OUT, SOAK UP THE SUN,
THEN HEAD UP TO THE
POOL BAR FOR ICE-COLD
DRINKS AND PEOPLE-
WATCHING
Other times, Ill look round
the souvenir shops as I have
lots of friends to buy pressies
for. Sometimes I go on a day
excursion booze cruises are
my favourite. Oh, and I do like
the banana boat. Im still a
young thrill seeker at heart!
In the evening, I get all
glammed up hair done,
make-up on and make
for the restaurant for
dinner. Then its back to
the hotel to check out the
entertainment and the
talent in the lounge. A
few drinks, a chat with the
other holiday-makers and a
singalong round off the day.
Although I love going on
holiday, I look forward to
getting back to my own
wee house, catching up
on local gossip with my
neighbours and meeting up
with family and friends to
share my holiday memories
and give them their
pressies.
Ill keep you posted on my
next adventure.
Sun, sea and
sangria
Eleanor McMahon reports on another
great holiday
I recently returned from my holiday. I had
a great time: fab hotel, lots of sun sea and
sangria! I like to holiday abroad at least once
a year as I love ying. Ive been to Tenerife but
this year it was Lanzarote.
Freedom fght
A book to be published by Partners features ve freedom
ghters. These are people who have escaped the world of
institutions and, with help from Partners and others, are
building a new life.
Partners asked Clare Hyde, director of
the Foundation for Families, to gather
the stories of people supported by
Partners. They are stories that inspire.
They show that, in place of labels
given to people in institutions
challenging, vulnerable, self-harming
its possible to put peoples qualities
rst resourceful, determined, kind.
The labels decide what services
people will be given. Knowing
peoples qualities, on the other hand,
is the starting-point for building
relationships, getting involved,
making a contribution, having a
good life.
The following extract is about Sam,
one of the ve people featured in the
book.
Sam, freedom fghter
Sam is 28 years old and spent much of
his early life in institutions and fostercare
placements. Partners for Inclusion began
to support Sam when he was 22.
Sams behaviour at that time was
challenging and chaotic. He had been
given various labels and was thought to
be a risk to himself and to others.
I was put in care when I was six
months old. Basically, I was passed from
pillar to post. I was put with a foster
family when I was 13 and it was them
who got me into Partners for Inclusion.
I came out as gay when I was 16 and my
foster parents didnt take it well. I nally
left when I was 22 and thats when I came
to Partners.
When I lived with my foster mum and
dad, I wasnt allowed to be me. They were
strict. Even after college I wasnt allowed
to do what 18 year-olds should be doing.
If I hadnt got into Partners I
wouldnt be living in society. I would
be in an institution. Partners have been
supportive all the way through this. They
were scared for me in case I got attacked.
I am happy now. When I left, I came
straight into my own place but I had 24/7
support from Partners. Im living my
youth which I wasnt allowed then.
I get a lot of stick for being gay where
I live. Its strange. I wonder why people
cant accept me. I dont care what people
look like, what they are. As long as they
treat me with respect I will do the same
back. I really deserve a chance in life.
Everyone deserves a chance. I dont judge
folk. Who am I to judge?
Publication
The book will be published
later in 2012. More information:
Reception@partnersforinclusion.org
Learn to relax: Eleanor shows how its done.
Patrick, one of the freedom ghters in the book, surveys the possibilities of a life outside
the institution.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 8
That was always the plan. Partners
doesnt want to build an empire. It
wants to stay small dedicated to
the 46 people it supports. But there
was a demand for more Partners-
style support and the best way of
meeting that demand was to start
another organisation.
We knew it would take time
to get to the point where Just
Connections becomes independent
and there are still quite a few
things to work out. Partners
Trustees are closely involved, of
course, making sure that we get it
right.
The day will come, though, when
Just Connections ies the nest. But
even then well come back often to
see mum and dad (and denitely
not just to bring a bag of dirty
washing).
Just Connections: the
same but diferent
Ian Williams picks out the parallels with Partners for Inclusion
Just Connections supports people in the same way Partners does. We share an ofce.
We share pretty much everything. You could say were Partners offspring. But the
child is growing up.
Just Connections now supports
17 people. The eighteenth person
is about to move in to their own
place. Theyre all individuals but
if you got them together for a
photo you might see a difference
to a similar Partners snap. Most
of the people supported by Just
Connections are younger.
PARTNERS DOESNT WANT
TO BUILD AN EMPIRE. THE
BEST WAY TO MEET DEMAND
IS TO START ANOTHER
ORGANISATION
Ten of the 18 started getting
support from us when they were
still at school. To its credit, South
Ayrshire Council decided to do
something sensible about people
in transition from childrens to
Ian Williams: Well be back to see
mum and dad.
adult services. We all know thats
the time when things go wrong for
lots of people.
South Ayrshire had the foresight
to provide people with eight hours
support a week for two years
before the big change.
During that time, we were able
to build a relationship with people
while they had the stability of
school and, mainly, lived at home.
Generally, things have gone well.
Some are still at home with their
parents. Some have moved into
their own place. Some people do
voluntary work at charity shops.
Robert, whos featured in this
paper (see page 11), works at the
National Trust.
Most people dont have 24-hour
support. That preparation the
eight hours a week has paid
dividends. People who otherwise
might have disappeared for years
into expensive placements are
more and more independent.
WE SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE
SAME WAY PARTNERS DOES
BUT THE DAY WILL COME WHEN
JUST CONNECTIONS FLIES THE
NEST
So Just Connections is the same as
Partners only different.
But then, everything changes. I
notice how the attitude of parents
of younger people is different from
a few years back. Theyre more
demanding and rightly so. They
have higher expectations. The
result is that theres a healthier
power balance between them and
us. They say This is what we expect
for our daughter rather than just
taking whats on offer. Thats what
we want to hear.
Maybe, in a few years, therell
be another organisation growing
up under Partners wing. Without
a doubt, that will be different to
Partners and Just Connections,
too. I look forward to seeing what
its like.
Ian Williams is director of Just
Connections.
The Just Connections team (with some members of Partners Central Team). From left to right: Graeme Cartwright, Fay Scobie,
Geraldine Smith, Laura Wardrop, Lesley Corbett, June Binning, Michele Munro, John Bingham, Lesley McGilvary, Ed Garrett, Libby
Robertson, Stephen Cochrane, Diane McGowan, Sean Finnie, Linda McQusiton, Dawn Cook, Jamie Sloan, June Jeffrey, Anne
Sloan, Jaci Isaacs, Fiona Thomson, Ruth Martins, Suzanne Maxton
JUST
CONNECTIONS
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 9
A good time to panic?
Editorial by Doreen Kelly, chief executive of Partners for Inclusion
Partners has been expecting cutbacks. Weve known since 2007, when the world
economy went into freefall, that local authorities would make drastic cuts. If ever
there were a good time to panic, perhaps this is it.
Cuts to Partners have ranged from
8% to 20% in the last year. Some
might say we are lucky. Other
organisations have to make cuts of
50% or more.
We see organisations trying
different ways of dealing with
the problem. Some ght, some
restructure and some make mass
redundancies. Some try for political
advantage, others try to grow
sometimes by taking over smaller
agencies.
CUTS TO PARTNERS HAVE
RANGED FROM 8% TO 20%.
SOME MAY SAY WE ARE LUCKY
We dont think these approaches
are sustainable and they dont t
with our principles and values.
We decided not to panic. Making
decisions in a panic is not wise.
We sat back, took a deep breath
and realised that our response
must be based on the principles of
Partners for Inclusion.
We ruled out growing the
organisation to achieve economies
of scale because this would have a
negative impact on the quality of
our work.
We also dismissed the idea of
making people redundant en
masse because we didnt want to
create an unhealthy culture and
lose good staff.
Finally, we didnt think just
ghting the cuts would work,
although we are involved in the
Campaign for a Fair Society which
protests against the cuts.
WE RULED OUT MASS
REDUNDANCIES. WE DIDNT
WANT TO CREATE AN
UNHEALTHY CULTURE AND LOSE
GOOD STAFF
Having listed the things we
wouldnt do, it was easier to
decide what we would do. In the
right hand column I have listed
some of the approaches Partners
for Inclusion has adopted to get
through these times.
More information about:
Carista: see page 4
Just Connections: see page 8
Altrum: www.altrum.org.uk
Beyond Limits:
www.beyondlimits-uk.org/
see also page 15
How to deal with the
cuts to Partners:
Help those we support to get
unpaid people in their lives, like
their family and friends, so they
have others who can stand up
for them even if their service is
at risk.
Support people to be as
independent as they can be
help them to get jobs, friends
and good things to do with
their time so they are less
reliant on paid staff. Funders
see that we are trying to work
more efciently and can also
spend the money weve saved
on others who need a service.
Inuence decision-makers: our
positive reputation built by, for
example, the publication of our
book and our consultancy work
enables us to have a say in how
money is spent and, indeed,
how it can be saved by offering
good, personalised support.
Help other organisations to
start and develop, for example,
Just Connections and Beyond
Limits. We believe that starting
new organisations is better
for people who use support
than simply growing Partners.
Also, we will be able to share
resources and functions like
nance. We will save money
and extend the network of
like-minded organisations we
already have in Altrum.
We can probably always
improve efciency. At present,
for example, closer working
between team leaders is
creating efciencies and, we
hope, long-term savings.
Use technology such as Carista,
our information management
system.
Work closer with colleagues in
local authorities, so we can help
them to minimise the effect of
the cuts.
So, if theres ever a good time to
panic, we think this is not it. We
believe we have the right approach
to steer Partners safely and
successfully through these tough
times.
I LLUSTRATION: CATHY BALME / BALHAMCAT@GOOGLEMAI L.COM
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 10
Contact
Dates and Mates Ayrshire
About us
Sign in Help Join us
Calendar
Accessibility
Home News Members
Flourishing friendships - DM2 gets
the party started
A new club for people in Ayrshire
DM2, a club where people
can make new friends, has
people ooding through
the doors.
60 people were expected to join
DM2 in the rst year but more
than that number signed up in
the rst month. Two discos at
the Malt Cross in Ayr and The
Garage in Kilmarnock got the
ball rolling. Other events are
coming thick and fast. Activities
were decided by tick-box
questionnaires.
The partys started: DM2 kicks off with a disco at the Malt Cross in Ayr.
Organisers had expected picture
quiz nights and bingo to bring in
the most votes. But top choices
were discos and karaoke. Walking
came in as a surprise third.
Everyone seems to enjoy walks
but not alone thats where DM2
comes in.
Anyone in Ayrshire can apply
to join and John and Aimee, DM2
organisers, are dealing with a
steady ow of applications 11 in
the week this paper went to press.
Support workers who went
along with some people to the
rst discos were positive. One
commented The man I support
is usually pretty shy but he got
introduced to some new people.
He was chatting and dancing. I
expect people will get together
outside.
The venture has the backing
of some local businesses. The
Malt Cross pub has given over
part of the pub free of charge.
The party spilled over into the
rest of the pub as locals joined in.
The Promotional Chocolate Co.
has made DM2 chocolates and is
sponsoring the club for a year.
East Ayrshire Council and
Partners have contributed to
start-up costs.
Soon, DM2s website will be
launched. Members will be able to
nd out the latest news and see
whats coming up.
DM2 has two organisers:
Aimee and John.
Find out more
For more information call Aimee,
John or Helen on 01563 825515.
Aimee, DM2 organiser
John, the second DM2 organiser
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 11
My week in pictures
Hi, Im Robert. Im 23. I have my own pad, which Ive been in for three years
now. I need some support but doesnt everyone? Here are a few pictures
which tell you some of the important things in my week.
Friday
I love a good party.
Saturday
At the football, one of
my biggest passions.
Sunday
My room. I like it colourful.
Do you think theres room for
anything else on the walls?
Monday
Jai McDowall signing his CD. He used
to be my support worker and he won
Britains Got Talent. I taught him
well! One day Ill be signing a copy of
my CD for him.
Tuesday
Fine dining: I do like a
good meal out.
Wednesday
Me at work at the Robert Burns
Centre. Well someones got to
do it. You cant go to football
and party all the time.
Thursday
On the X Box, I am the best
ever manager on Fifa 12.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 12
Highs and lows of
leading a team
Helen Walker gets excited
I know its a clich but I absolutely love my job. Getting up in the
morning, I just want to get to work.
The feeling I get when working with the
team everyone focused on supporting
someone to have the life they want its
very exciting.
There have been memorable moments.
After two and a half years of supporting
him to build relationships, he was invited
to a birthday party by someone in the pool
league. And then, at a karaoke night, seeing
him wandering round chatting to people
(with the support worker in the background,
where they should aim to
be). These might seem like
small things but they are
a big deal in this persons
life. Its a long journey and
you have to be there for
the long haul to appreciate
the changes. His family
said they would never have
expected to see that sort
of change such a level of
independence.
Its not all fun and
celebration, of course.
Theres the groundwork:
careful planning, trying to
get a rota that works for
everyone. And its easy to
get overwhelmed take
too much on, say yes when
the sensible answer is no.
Getting worn out is no good
for the person we support
so you have to make sure
commitment doesnt tip
over into burnout.
Someone asked me
recently what my lowest
point has been. A difcult
issue came up with the
family and I handled it all
wrong. For a little while, I
felt completely lost didnt
know what to do. Im being
open about this because
such situations will arise
if you do this kind of work. The important
thing is how we work through them. I knew
I could go to my line manager and Partners
chief executive and be honest about it. I got
fantastic support.
Its two years since I became team leader.
I built up to it steadily. I was a support
worker at rst. That was six years ago. Then
I was an assistant, then acting team leader.
Im looking forward to what the coming
years bring.
Role call
The jobs people do
for Partners
In each issue of the Partners
Paper therell be a summary of
one particular job. This time its
the turn of:
Team leader
Role and responsibility
Practical support to the person who gets
support. Leadership and management of
a small team working for that person.
Main responsibilities
Making sure the person gets the right
support.
In a nutshell
Making sure the person is empowered
at every reasonable opportunity to make
decisions and take control over their life
and service.
Nuts and bolts
Working with the team on the Essential
Lifestyle Plan, Service Design, Person
Centred Plan, Action Plan and individual
Working Policies. Organising team
meetings, diaries and communications.
Working with people in the Central
Team (like the service leader, nance,
training, H.R.). Meeting with people in the
persons wider support team (like the Care
Manager, Community Learning Disability
Team, Community Psychiatric Nurse).
Recruiting, supervising, motivating,
developing team members. Properly and
wisely managing money in the service.
Making sure that, if the person needs
support managing their money, they are
as involved as possible.
Qualities needed
Not needing to be told what to do,
comfortable with responsibility, creative.
Problem solver, leader, collaborator.
Accountability
Answers to the service leader and the
person supported.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 13
We want to see the whole
person with all their individual
qualities. But labels are used
whether we like it or not and its
best to know what people mean
when they use them.
So in this issue of the paper, we
kick off an A-Z of labels.
Autism
This is how the National
Autistic Society defnes
autism:
Autism is a lifelong
developmental disability
that affects how a person
communicates with, and relates
to, other people and the world
around them.
It is a spectrum condition,
which means that, while all
people with autism share certain
areas of difculty, their condition
will affect them in different
ways. Asperger syndrome is a
form of autism.
More information:
www.autism.org.uk
Bipolar disorder
This is how MIND
defnes bipolar disorder:
Someone diagnosed with
bipolar disorder (formerly
known as manic depression)
experiences swings in mood
from periods of overactive,
excited behaviour known as
mania to deep depression.
Between these severe highs and
lows can be stable times.
Everybody experiences mood
shifts in daily life, but with
bipolar disorder these changes
are extreme.
More information
www.mind.org.uk
Cerebral palsy
This is what Scope says:
Cerebral palsy is a condition
that affects muscle control and
movement. It is usually caused
by an injury to the brain before,
during or after birth.
Children with cerebral palsy
have difculties in controlling
muscles and movements as
they grow and develop. Cerebral
palsy itself is not progressive;
the injury to the brain does not
change. However, the effects
may change over time for better
or worse. There is no cure for
cerebral palsy, but physiotherapy
and other therapies can often
help people with cerebral palsy
become more independent.
More information
www.scope.org.uk
Challenging
behaviour
This is what Mencap
says:
Some people with a learning
disability may demonstrate
extreme behaviour, which is
often referred to as challenging
behaviour.
This may include ... hitting or
kicking other people, throwing
things or hurting themselves.
It often appears in people who
have difculty communicating
their needs and wishes in other
ways.
The last sentence is most
important. This kind of
behaviour might be the last
resort for someone trying to tell
us they are unhappy. At Partners,
we know that each person has
their own way of telling us what
they want and need and we have
detailed plans about how to
listen and respond.
More information
reception@partnersforinclusion.org
Community care
The main effect of the 1990 NHS
and Community Care Act was a
move away from institutional
care. The idea was that people
would move to ordinary
neighbourhoods and live in
their own place. For people with
learning disabilities, this often
meant living in group homes
with others who had learning
disabilities.
In general, group homes
have found it hard to get rid of
institutional practices. With staff
rotas, an ofce in the front room
and re exit signs, its difcult to
see these places as someones
home. Worse still, people are
moved in and out and dont have
the same rights as tenants.
There are alternatives. Partners
and other organisations have
shown that its possible for
people to have a home that is
ordinary and is genuinely theirs.
More information
Talk to us at Partners:
01563 825555
reception@partnersforinclusion.org
Labels are for jars
At Partners for Inclusion, were wary of labels. Too often, we see how people are
dened by labels someone has given them maybe a long time ago. If you wear
glasses, you probably dont think thats the most important thing about you and
you wouldnt want to be discussed or introduced as a specs-wearer.
Local authority
charging and Joe
Bloggs
Many local authorities are
increasing the amount they
take back from peoples
benets.
Local authorities see these charges
as a contribution towards support.
They vary a lot from 25 to 95 a
week. This charging can have a big
impact.
Take Joe Bloggs, for example.
Partners supports Joe, who has a
learning disability and autism. The
local authority couldnt provide
him with suitable housing because
he can be very noisy when he gets
upset. So he lives in private rented
accommodation.
Money coming in
He has Income Support and
all the premiums with Severe
Disablement Allowance: 174.35
per week in total. He also has
High DLA Care 77.45 and
Mobility Allowance. He has
a Mobility car because he cant
cope with public transport.
His weekly income total is
251.80.
Money going out
The local authority charges him
95 a week as his contribution to
his care. This leaves him 156.80
His housing has oil heating -
very expensive. This costs him
around 50 a week. He needs
to budget 20 a week for other
utilities.
He spends 30 a week for diesel
for his car. He needs 40 a week
for all groceries.
This leaves him a grand total
of 16.80 a week for everything
else going out, clothes,
holidays and all other living
expenses.
On Partners scientifc Rich-
To-Skint Scale, Joe is ofcially
skint.
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 14
A joke?
Health and Safety is a favourite subject
for comedians and bar-room politicians.
Its an easy target However, before the
introduction of a law about the wearing
of construction helmets, the family of a
worker killed by a falling brick probably
wouldnt have said such a law was health
and safety gone mad.
Anyway, health and safety shouldnt be
about stopping things. Life is full of risks
and a good attitude to health and safety
enables us to enjoy things in a sensible
way, whether we need support to be
independent or not.
Riddor
changes
(Riddor stands for Reporting of Injuries,
Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences
Regulations.)
From 6 April 2012, if an employee has a
serious accident or injury at work, the
period they are off work before the matter
has to be reported has been increased from
more than 3 days to more than 7 days.
The timescale in which to make the report
has been increased from within 10 days of
the accident to 15 days. Therell be updated
guidance for all Team purple folders soon.
Accidents
and incidents
For the nine months to 31 December 2011
there was no real difference to the number
of accidents in 2010. This is good news
because 2010 gures were down on 2009.
The vast majority of accidents were slips,
trips and falls.
Risky
business
Sensible organisations
think ahead. Planning
what theyd do if a
problem crops up is good
business management.
Every organisation should go
through a risk-management
exercise. This may not be the
place to wonder about RBSs risk
planning so lets concentrate on
Partners.
Partners got the help of Scott-
Moncrieff, a well-known rm
of accountants and business
consultants, to examine its risk-
assessment process.
Partners thought of what things
could go wrong, how serious
they would be and what effect
theyd have. This meant listing
everything from a loss of funding
to bad weather in the winter
(which might stop support workers
getting to peoples homes.) Then
Partners planned what they would
do in each risk area.
EVERY ORGANISATION
SHOULD GO THROUGH A RISK-
MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Scott-Moncrieff assessed how
good Partners risk planning was
and also consulted stakeholders
for example, people in local
authorities and family members.
The verdict was positive. Many
said that knowing what was going
on was the most important thing
and Partners should carry on
communicating well.
WE LISTED ALL THE RISKS WE
COULD THINK OF - FROM A
SUDDEN LOSS OF FUNDING TO
BAD WEATHER
A clean bill of health was also
given by Stewart Brown of Scott-
Moncrieff: We were satised that
what Partners does is aligned to
good practice. Some areas could be
improved and Partners are putting
a plan in place to do this.
CALM
Practice makes perfect in all things
including C.A.L.M. Escape Techniques and
C.A.L.M. Physical Interventions.
Its not enough to just train in C.A.L.M. All
team members have to practice regularly. It
must be practised and recorded at monthly
Team Meetings. Records will be checked at
the Annual Support Planning sessions.
There are drop-in practice sessions run
by Jim and Graham on Induction Week
Fridays anytime between 2.00-4.00 p.m.
Health &
Safety Reps
There are regular information sessions for
reps at West Kirk. The programme at these
sessions includes updates, guest speakers
and your questions answered. Ask Ken
Fentie for details of the next session.
Email: Ken@partnersforinclusion.org
Health tips
5 A DAY: a third of your dinner plate should
be salad or vegetables; take fruit to work
instead of crisps; fruit for dessert.
HEADPHONES on full volume can lead to
hearing loss if listened to at high volume
for just 30 minutes a day.
FOOD CRAVINGS often pass in around 20
minutes. Distract yourself for that time if
you dont really need to eat.
EXERCISE neednt be a chore. You dont
have to jog. Do something you like - cycle
to work; dig the garden, go for a walk,
swim. It doesnt matter. Aim for 30 minutes
exercise, ve days a week.
Health and safety news
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 15
Up close with...
Graeme Cartwright, Just Connections team leader since March 2011
Beyond
Limits
Sam Sly checks in with
news of the Plymouth
organisation set up with
the support of Partners.
Beyond Limits works in the same
way Partners does. Partners
helped to set it up in 2011. Doreen
Kelly, Partners chief executive, is
also a director of Beyond Limits.
We started carefully but the
pace is picking up. We have done
service designs and working
policies for six people in hospitals
from Norfolk to Northants. So far,
weve been chosen to support ve
of them. Were starting the the
same process with six more.
After six months preparation,
one woman is moving into her
rst permanent home. Shes
decorating as we speak. Getting
back to her original community
has opened up a whole world:
reviving friendships, going night
clubbing for the rst time in nine
years and re-connecting with her
wide family network. She has her
own team and takes recruitment
seriously. She bought a suit and
heels for the job.
The other four people should all
be in their own place by October.
Our teams are fantastic and
so are the families. It always
saddens me that families who
stick by their relatives, despite all
the barriers and frustrations put
in their way, are often branded
as difcult. They are the greatest
asset the person has and make
wonderful partners for us.
The frst person that inspired
me was
My higher history teacher at
school. I became interested in the
civil rights struggle in America
especially Martin Luther King. Im
still inspired by the way he led
non-violent protests in the face of
such provocation.
Sheer joy is.
Seeing my four-month-old son
rst thing in the morning
looking into his cot and seeing
(usually) a big smile.
What really annoys is .
Intolerance, especially racism. Why
do some people spend so much
energy on bad feelings towards
others? Why not meet people, talk
to them and then decide if you like
them or not?
If I could revisit an event in my
life, it would be..
When I dropped out of university
with only ve months before
nishing my degree. I was swayed
into going travelling. What can I
say? I was young and impulsive.
My most treasured possession
is
My guitar. I dont play as much
as I used to, mainly because Im
not allowed to in the house! Ive
played since I was 14 but it really
doesnt show.
If I had to leave Scotland to live
somewhere else, Id move to.
New York. Ive been four times and
I love it the whole vibe of the
place. I love just walking around
the streets. In reality, living there
would be pretty mad and hectic
and that probably wouldnt suit
me but Id love to try it out.
Have you always wanted to be a
team leader?
Not at all. Id never imagined it.
When I started working in care, I
saw team leaders and thought Id
never want to do the paperwork,
deal with conicts and issues and
social work and management
and families and reviews and so
on. Funny thing is I still dont!
What I most like about myself
is
Mmm.. maybe that I dont get
ustered easily. Staying calm can
be helpful in some situations. I
hope it doesnt look like me being
lazy.
If I had to change something
about myself it would be..
Id be super-motivated, mega-
successful and, of course, very, very
rich. But, back to reality, Im happy
to try my best at things and do
what I can.
If I had just one desert island
disc, it would be...
This is the hardest question of all
as music is my rst love. There are
just too many possibilities. But If
I have to choose, Ill say Marvin
Gaye: Whats Going On.
Graeme Cartwright: sheer joy
Sam Sly, director of Beyond Limits
Partners Paper
|
Summer 2012 | Edition 01 16
Buffet Disco Rafe Bar Beach party
theme King and Queen of the Beach
Tickets 8 from Partners Reception.
West Kirk, 84 Portland Street
Kilmarnock, KA3 1AA
reception@partnersforinclusion.org
Tel: 01563 825555
Partners for Inclusion
Summer Beach Ball
Concert Hall, Troon
14 July 2012, 7.00 p.m.
Relax!
Relaxation workshop
Wednesday 19 September 9.30 4.30
Life too hectic? Workload taking over?
No time for yourself?
Time to take control and RELAX.
The workshop will:
teach you new relaxation techniques
allow you to close your eyes on the job
help you to make time for yourself
enable you to discover inner peace and calm
help you to be more effective at work.
Put in your booking request to the Training
Department now.
Looking for some sweet ideas
for personalised promotional
confectionery? Youve come to
the right place. The Promotional
Chocolate Company isnt just
about chocolate. We offer a
wide range of bespoke, personalised corporate
confectionery. It doesnt matter if youre looking for
promotional biscuits, chocolates or sweets, we can
offer everything you need.
The Promotional Chocolate Co. sponsors DM2 (see page 10).
FI ONA@PROMOTI ONALCHOCOLATECO. CO. UK | WWW. PROMOTI ONALCHOCOLATECO. CO. UK | TEL . 01 294 835 998