Archive for March, 2013
Sensory impairment
Definition
Specialist services for people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind. Services are available to people of all ages, from babies to older people, and include:
- Mobility and independent travel training;
- Links with mainstream and specialist schools;
- Advice and information on a range of conditions affecting vision and hearing;
- Arrangement for British Sign Language Interpretation/Guide Communicator for social work appointments;
- Provision of specialist equipment;
- Provision of awareness training to staff and organisations;
- Teaching in a variety of communications methods.
Policies and legislation
Useful links
- Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland
- ‘Adapting to the Future’ Audit Scotland – Report on the Scottish Government’s website
- British Sign Language – This site uses moving pictures to show the basic signs for British Sign Language
- Equality and human rights commission
- Deafblind Scotland
- Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
- Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS)
- Royal National Institute for the Deaf
- Royal National Institute for the Blind
- Scottish Council on Deafness
- Office for Disability Issues
Safeguarding vulnerable adults
Definition
Safeguarding covers the systems and processes in place to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, harm or exploitations.
Every day, vulnerable adults are physically, sexually, financially or psychologically abused, discriminated or neglected.
Adults most at risk of abuse are people who may be unable to:
- Protect themselves against abuse, harm or exploitation;
- Speak out for themselves; or
- Take care of themselves.
‘Safeguarding Adults’ is:
- the new terminology for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA);
- also referred to as Adult Protection.
‘Abuse’ is any behaviour towards a person that deliberately or unknowingly causes him or her harm, endangers life or violates their rights.
Policies and legislation
1998
- White Paper Modernising Social Services – Stressed the importance of improving the protection for adults needing care and support.
- Speaking up for Justice – Report highlighted the treatment of vulnerable or intimidated witnesses in the criminal justice system and the need to obtain ‘best evidence’. This resulted in their eligibility for special support measures under Part 2 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, supported by the Home Office Action for Justice and Achieving Best Evidence Guidance.
- Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
2000
- Human Rights Act 1998 – Placed a positive duty upon ‘public bodies’ to act compatibly with the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights. This includes a duty to intervene proportionately to protect the rights of citizens. Article 2: ‘The right of life’, Article 3: ‘Freedom from torture’ (including humiliating and degrading treatment), Article 8: ‘Right to family life’ (one that sustains the individual).
- No Secrets – Guidance published by the Department of Health builds upon the Government’s respect for human rights and highlights the need to protect vulnerable adults through effective multi-agency teamwork.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC) – The new name for the Commission of Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
- In Safe Hands: Implementing Adult Protection Procedures in Wales
2003
2004
2005
- Mental Capacity Act – Provides a much clearer legal framework for people who lack capacity and those caring for them by setting out key principles, procedures and safeguards.
- Safeguarding Adults – National Framework of Standards – Issued by the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS). The national framework comprised of 11 sets of good practice standards in safeguarding adults. It makes a distinct shift in language from ‘vulnerable adult’ as used in No Secrets, to ‘safeguarding adults’.
Useful links
- Advocacy Resources Exchange (ARX) – An organisation the provides information and advice about advocacy.
- Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) – (formerly known as the Bournewood safeguards) introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 through the Mental Health Act 2007
- Protection of Vulnerable Adults scheme – Made in Part 7 of the Care Standards Act 2000. At the heart of he POVA scheme is the POVA list. The POVA scheme will act like a workforce ban.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Physical disability
Definition
Services usually offer a range of community care support for people of all ages with a physical disabilty, and their carers.
Services are aimed at:
- improving the quality of life;
- maximising a person’s level of independence;
- maintaining, as far as possible, a stable life within the community,
- providing support, information and advice to enable this to occur.
Equipment for independent living
The provision of equipment to enable older people, disabled people, people with sensory impairments, and children with disabilities, to achieve and maintain independent living.
Blue European parking badge for people with disabilities
This scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with disabilities who travel either as drivers or passengers.
Assistive technology
Assistive technology is a range of specialist equipment that can alert people if a person need’s help and is unable to do this themselves.
Policies and legislation
- National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990
- Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002
- Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996
- ‘Equipped for Inclusion’ Report of the Strategy Forum: Equipment and Adaptations (Scottish Government)
- Community Care Services for adults with a sensory impairment – An Action Plan (Scottish Government)
- Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c. 49)
- Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986 (c.33)
- Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Act 1972 (c.51)
Useful links
- North Lanarkshire Council’s mission, values and objectives statement for Physical Disability
- Office for Disability Issues
Personalisation
Definition
Personalisation was developed in response to the growing older population, and the higher standards that we all expect out of social care. It is about transforming adult social care in Britain to enable service users to have more choice and control in their lives, and understanding that individuals have hopes and aspirations beyond their social care needs.
It puts the person at the very centre of their services, and takes into account everything that is going on their lives, from benefits they may be entitled to, to the informal support they may be receiving from family and friends. It enables people to make decisions for themselves, and to have access to information and support when they need it.
It is often referred to as the biggest change since the introduction of the welfare state, and is certainly the biggest change since the introduction of the Community Care Act in 1996. It is about introducing a change that affects the whole social care system, right from before people even need support.
Personalisation comes in 4 parts:
- Early Intervention and Prevention – Introducing more preventative services and ensuring people stay independent and healthy, without the need for intensive social care services.
- Universal Services – Ensuring that good advice and information about services is universally available, and that public services are accessible to all.
- Social Capital – Developing interdependent communities and local services.
- Choice and Control – Giving people more choice and control in their lives through the introduction of Self Directed Support and Personal Budgets.
Policies and legislation
- Building on progress: Public services – The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit report
- Putting People First: A shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care – A concordat between central government, local government and the social care sector
- Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
Good practice examples
- Transforming social care in Stockport
- Stockport’s Information and Advice Strategy
- Transforming social care in Leicestershire
Useful links
- IBSEN Report – The report on the initial national pilot of Individual Budgets
- Putting People First – The official online central hub for information and resources
- SCIE ‘at a glance’ briefing notes – Digestible briefing notes on the implications of Personalisation for a variety of stakeholders
- In Control – One of the first advocates of Personalisation
- Progress for Providers – A great tool to help providers adjust to the changes
- Self-directed Support (Direct Payments), Scotland, 2008
Documents
- Putting People First 2009/1: Summary of Joint National Delivery Support Plan (2010) Transforming Adult Social Care (TASC)
- Creating a stronger Information, Advice and Advocacy System for Older People (2009) Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Personalisation: a rough guide – Social Care Institute for Excellence (2008) SCIE
Person Centred Planning
Definition
The government set out its strategy for services for people with learning disabilities in a white paper, ‘Valuing People’, published in 2001. It introduces the concept of Person Centred Planning (PCP) as:
“a process for continual listening and learning, focusing on what is important to someone now and in the future, and acting upon this in alliance with their family and friends.”
Person Centred Planning provides the basis for, and promotes, ‘ways of commissioning, providing and organising services rooted in listening to what people want.’It is based on principles of rights, independence, choice and inclusion.
Policies and legislation
- Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century
- Care Standards Act 2000
- Social Care Green Paper – Independence, Well-being and Choice: Our Vision for the Future of Social Care for Adults in England
Useful links
- Adult placements and person centred approaches – Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
- CHANGE – the leading national equal rights organisation led by disabled people
- Mencap – the voice of learning disability, valuing and supporting people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
- People First – An organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities to raise awareness of, and campaign for, the rights of people with learning disabilities, and to support self advocacy groups across the country.
Older people
Definition
The government’s policy for older people and their carers seeks to promote social inclusion and control over their lives, ensuring respect and choice. This enables older people to live independently for as long as possible, benefit from tailored care and support, and experience an enhanced quality of life.
The Scottish Government is working to enable older Scots to live healthy, active and independent lives. It works with the UK Government to tackle pensioner poverty and providing security and dignity for older people is central to its social justice agenda.
Policies and legislation
- National Care Standards Commission: Regulations and Standards
- National Dementia Strategy
- Safeguarding Adults – National Framework of Standards – Was issued by the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS). The national framework is comprised of 11 sets of good practice standards in safeguarding adults. It makes a distinct shift in language from ‘vulnerable adult’ as used in No Secrets, to ‘safeguarding adults’.
Useful links
- Publications about older people’s services
- SCIE Guide 3: Assessing the mental health needs of older people
- SCIE Guide 17: The participation of adult service users, including older people, in developing social care
- Age UK – The new name for Age Concern and Help the Aged
- Age Scotland
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Documents
- Creating a stronger Information, Advice and Advocacy System for Older People (2009) Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Mental health
Definition
Mental health services aim to maximise the quality of life of people with mental health problems, to increase support to carers and to promote a more positive attitude to mental ill health.
Policies and legislation
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
- Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
- Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Covers England and Wales and provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity in the future. It sets out who can make decisions on their behalf, in which situations, and how they should go about this. The legal framework provided by this Act is supported by a Code of Practice, which provides guidance and information about how the Act works in practice.
Examples of good practice
- West Leicestershire Mind – Mind is a national charity that promotes mental health and wellbeing, with subsidiaries around the country. West Leicestershire Mind, in particular, have done some really ground breaking work in embracing Personalisation and developing new, more personalised services for people with mental health problems.
Useful links
- Framework for Mental Health services in Scotland
- Penumbra – support adults and young people in Scotland to move towards mental wellbeing.
- The Richmond Fellowship Scotland – the leading provider in Scotland of community care services, including people with mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, alcohol related problems or autism.
- Mental Capacity Act 2005: Training Materials
- Mental Capacity Act: Deprivation of Liberty safeguards – These were introduced into the Mental Capacity Act 2005 through the Mental Health Act 2007.
- The Department of Health hasallocated funding to local authorities for 2009/10 to deliver the Safeguards in these areas.
- New regulations for 2009 in England – plus other useful information from the Governmet, including the Vetting and Barring Scheme, and changes tot he POVA scheme.
- Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland – The Future of Mental Health Improvement in Scotland 2008-11.
Learning disabilities
Definition
Learning Disability is one of the most common forms of disability in the UK. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand, or communicate. Someone has a learning disability all through their life, but it is not an illness or a disease.
Many people with learning disabilities prefer the term ‘people with learning difficulties’. This is the term used by People First, an international advocacy organisation.
Policies and legislation
- Care Standards Act 2000
- Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996
- Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
Useful links
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Justice services
Definition
Criminal justice social work services deliver effective assessment and management of offenders within the community whilst contributing to community safety.
Objectives are:
- To identify those offenders most at risk of harm either to themselves or others at risk of re-offending.
- To identify whether or not a community based management plan could support these offenders in the community both to reduce the risk of harm and the risk of re-offending.
- To carry out work within the framework of the National Objectives and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work Services and produce agreed qualitative improvements.
- To ensure that programmed work addresses victim issues and that it is informed by the impact of crime on individuals and the community.
- To contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders.
Key areas:
- Assessment and case management
- Diversion from prosecution
- Community service by offenders
- Supervised attendance orders
- Throughcare
- Court services (including bail)
- Woman offenders
- Young offenders
- Sex offenders
- Domestic abuse
- Mentally disordered offenders
- Substance misuse
- Criminal justice services and housing
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Training
- Services for victims, survivors and families affected by crime
Policies and Legislation
- Women Offenders: A Safer Way – A Review of Community Disposals and the Use of Custody for Women Offenders in Scotland
Useful Links
- The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research
- Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland
- Scottish Consortium on Crime and Criminal Justice
- Howard League for Penal Reform
- British Journal of Criminology
- Scottish Victims of Crime
Early intervention & prevention
Definition
Prevention is about preventing the loss of activities, such as getting up and dressed, which prevents people entering the social care system, in particular residential care, or even the NHS, through preventing hospital admission. It is about making sure people remain independent for as long as possible.
Early intervention is about nipping things in the bud before they become a far bigger problem.
Making a Strategic Shift Towards Prevention and Early Intervention – Sets out a framework for definign prevention. It categorises ‘prevention’ in the following three ways:
- Primary prevention – Maintaining the wellbeing and independence of people who have no particular social car or health need.
- Secondary prevention – Early identification to reduce risk.
- Tertiary prevention – Minimising disability or deterioration from established health conditions or complex social care needs.
Good practice examples
- Leicestershire County Council’s Homecare Assessment and Reablement Team (HART)
- Torquay’s Flip Flops Scheme
Useful links
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