Working with Local Authorities on developing the New Script for Social Work and Community Brokerage
Introduction
Over the last two and a half years Paradigm and The Centre for Welfare Reform has worked across the Y&H region to develop approaches to Personalisation, particularly focused on community support brokerage and on the role of front line practitioners. A number of papers documenting that work and learning to date have been produced including:
Architecture for Personalisation
Architecture for Personalisation Toolkit
New script for Social Work
Peer Support (The New Script & Community Brokerage)
Community Engagement (The New Script & Community Brokerage)
(These papers and other information can be found at: www.bit.ly/social-work-project )
This initial work has been supported by the Yorkshire & Humber Joint Improvement Partnership and has resulted in a number of innovative projects, producing models of good practice for the region and further afield.
The most recent work around the New Script for Social Work was showcased at the recent regional event in Sheffield with the pilot sites of York and North East Lincolnshire talking about their positive experiences of the work to date.
Early evidence shows that the work on implementing the New Script and developing community brokerage has resulted in streamlined systems, the potential to reduce time/resource and improved take up of people planning for their personal budgets themselves, with family or with a relevant form of community support.
Proposal
Paradigm and the Centre for Welfare Reform are now able to support other local authority areas to develop this innovative approach as they work towards further development of Personalisation and involvement and strengthening of communities – aiming to meet national targets in difficult times.
We have developed a programme of support to local authorities that provides them with the information and tools to implement community brokerage and the New Script for Social Work.
With a recognition that each local authority works in its own way, with its own current systems and procedures we tailor our support to build on work already done and offer support in changing systems and processes that are getting in the way. The key elements of our support to local authorities include:
Supported assessment of current systems and process for Personalisation in the area.
Outline of community support brokerage and the New Script for Social Work – how they work and what they offer.
Support to identify and develop community support brokerage – building on current work in communities and building systems that recognise and support different ways of people planning and putting in place suitable support.
Design and implementation of the ‘New Script for Social Work’ – working with an identified group of Social Workers and managers to re-align work practice around Personalisation with the principles of the New Script.
Before any work begins we meet with key stakeholders to design a tailored programmed of support and a timeframe for delivery. The work needs to be owned and led by the area, with facilitated support from Paradigm and The Centre for Welfare Reform. Local Authorities developing this work will be linked together to share experiences and learning. They will contribute to and share in the most up to date information and publications about the work through a web based ‘library’ at The Centred for Welfare Reform.
Cost
The basic programme of support to Authorities taking forward this work is £8,500 (plus VAT and expenses).
As each programme will be different, after an initial meeting a tailored proposal for work will be developed, outlining work to be undertaken and associated costs.