fife conference report - sds consortium project work

Self Directed Support

Friday 30th March 2012Rothes Halls, Glenrothes

Conference Feedback Report


Fife Conference Feedback Report: June 20122

Contents

Introduction page 3

Brief Summary of findings page 3

Delegate feedback page 4

Recommended actions page 10

Appendix: workshop notes page 11


Fife Conference Feedback Report: June 2012 3

Contents Introduction

This report summarises feedback from the 63 delegates who attended the Self Directed Support (SDS) Conference held for provider and advocacy organisations in Fife on 30 March 2012. The event was organised by members of the Fife Adult Provider Forum and ARC Scotland using funds provided by the Scottish Government 2012 – 2015.

For more information please contact James Fletcher, Director ARC Scotland: [email protected]

Most delegates (50 people) represented voluntary and third sector organisations that provide support or advocacy for a wide range of people with additional support needs in Fife. There was also representation from Fife Council (7 people) and Scotland-wide statutory and voluntary bodies (6 people). Most of those attending were in leadership and management positions.

We cannot be sure that delegates who attended are representative of the views of all provider organisations in Fife. However we believe their feedback gives an interesting and informative picture that will help inform future strategy to support local providers in relation to SDS.

Brief summary of findings

Most delegates already had some awareness of the principles and values of SDS prior to the event, but far fewer had a clear understanding of what impact it would have on their organisation.

Delegates were strongly supportive of SDS as an opportunity to improve both the quality of service and quality of life for people who get support. In contrast to this, many had significant concerns that SDS will both increase vulnerability of people who get support and create leadership and management challenges for the organisations that support them.

Some organisations that work in Fife are making changes in response to SDS, however most are at the planning, rather than implementation stage. Some providers have practical experience of SDS from their work in other Local Authority areas, however this also tends to be at an early stage.

Most delegates were seeking improved networking, information sharing (particularly with Fife Council) and training opportunities to further develop their capacity to implement SDS.



Delegate feedback

At registration, delegates were asked to complete a short (3 questions) questionnaire that asked delegates to score on a 1 to 5 scale their current level of engagement and understanding of SDS.

At the end of the event, delegates were given a more detailed feedback form (11 questions). This included repeating the morning questions, giving the ‘before’ and ‘after’ figures shown below.

Q1. How would you rate your understanding of the values, principles and methodology surrounding SDS? (1 is none, 5 is a lot)

Responses show a good increase in understanding of the values principles and methodologies surrounding SDS for many of those who attended. It also shows that most delegates had at least some understanding of SDS prior to the event.

Q2. How would you rate your understandingof the practical issues arising from SDS? (1 is none, 5 is a lot)

Here the shift in understanding is significantly less positive than in question 1. The majority of delegates left the event with only a low to moderate understanding of this. More detail concerning delegate’s practical experience of implementing SDS can be seen in question 6.

Q3. How would you rate your awareness of local authority plans to implement SDS? (1 is none, 5 is a lot)



Delegate feedbackThis question showed the biggest shift in understanding from delegates; the majority of whom (57%) had little or no awareness of local authority plans to implement SDS at the start of the event.

Questions 4 and 5 were asked in the final evaluation form only so we do not have before and after figures to compare.

Q4. How much change (if any) do you think your organisation has already made in response to SDS? (1 is none, 5 is a lot)

A broad range of responses to this question, with 79% scoring their answer low to moderate. See question 6 for more information about action providers have taken.

Q5. How successful do you think local providers are at working together to implement SDS? (1 is none, 5 is a lot)

The wide range of responses may reflect a varying degree of engagement with local networks and forum for providers.

Towards the end of the event we sought more detailed written responses from delegates on approaches to improve collaborative working (see question 9).

Num

be

r o

f Re

spo

nde

nts

25

20

15

10

5

1 2 3 4 5

Score (1 is none 5 is a lot)

Num

be

r o

f Re

spo

nde

nts

25

20

15

10

5

1 2 3 4 5

Score (1 is none 5 is a lot)



Q6. What action has your organisation already taken to engage with SDS?

This question elicited a wide range of responses, but no delegates responded that they were engaged in the practical application of SDS in Fife. Only one delegate responded that their experience of supporting direct payments would be transferable to SDS:

No action: 7 delegates• ‘We are just beginning, hopefully start in April

this year’

At planning stage: 13 delegates responded that their organisation was planning to implement an SDS strategy:

• ‘Strategy implementation group covering contracts, financial and support planning’

• ‘Background reading, practice development group discussion within Care Inspectorate’

• ‘Discussions taking place to plan – involving departments (Finance, HR)’

Implementing strategy: 6 delegates responded that their organisation was actively implementing a SDS strategy. It is not clear from responses to what extent this implementation is happening in Fife. Three respondents said their organisation had recruited a SDS Worker or team and two delegates said that they were providing information and support for users and carers:

• ‘Yes, we have delivered training and secured funding for part-time SDS worker’

• ‘We spent the past year developing a strategyfor the organisation re. SDS. This is now in the implementation stage’

• ‘Service in place with team leader and advisor to take forward and promote and support people with gaining advice knowledge and SDS if desired’

Involved in practical application in other Local Authority areas: 13 delegates responded their organisation is engaged in implementing SDS out with Fife. But responses generally indicate that this work is at an early stage:

• ‘(We have) started to look at implementing SDS in certain areas and are keen to implement throughout the organisation’

• ‘Our Dundee Manager is far more aware of SDS introduction to her services’

• ‘Not at the moment in the East. West have had some involvement’

Q7. What key concerns (if any) do you have about SDS?

Broadly speaking, responses to this question can be categorised as concerns about changes to how their organisation will operate (22 responses) and concerns about the impact of SDS on those they support (24 responses). A further 7 delegates were concerned about how SDS would be applied at a local level.

Don’t know: 5 delegates

HR issues: 13 delegates responded that staff recruitment; retention and changes to terms of employment were a key concern:

• ‘Workforce implications are a major factor. Balancing service user rights with the rights of employee/employee legislation’

• ‘Practicalities of provision – staff contracts, budgets, costs, experience training’

Organisational change: 9 delegates responded that the change process in relation to SDS was a key concern. There is some overlap in these responses with the HR concerns shown above:



• ‘The logistical management required to deliver more flexible services’

• ‘Shift in culture within service provision’• ‘Being a small organisation not being able to

compete with the larger orgs’• ‘Are larger organisations / providers able to

change?’

Local implementation: 7 delegates raised concerns about how SDS would roll out at a local level. 3 respondents particularly mention the role of the Local Authority as a concern:

• ‘Resistance/obstruction within local authority; local authority reluctance to embrace our role’

• ‘How effectively it’s implemented and how easily it’s made accessible to “customers”’

Lack of resources and managing expectations: 8 delegates indicated that lack of resources was a key concern. Again there is some overlap with comments shown above:

• ‘Management of service – expectations. Monitoring and control. Setting unrealistic expectations due to current financial restrictions’

• ‘Enough funds to meet needs’

Increased vulnerability: 16 delegates raised concerns that SDS would lead to increased vulnerability for service users. 3 delegates had concerns relating to the needs of carers:

• ‘Still have concerns on how this will be monitored and the service users will be protected with regard to issues severe financial abuse’

• ‘What safe guarding systems will be in place to protect vulnerable adults?’

• ‘How will the personalisation of services for the service user still meet the needs of the carers when their priorities are different?’

• ‘Concerns around high level of health needs of those with PMLD and complex medical needs’

Q8. What key opportunities (if any) do you think that SDS offers?

In marked contrast to the concerns shown above, delegates also identified some very significant opportunities offered by SDS. There was strong agreement (45 responses) that it provides an opportunity for individuals to improve choice, flexibility, control over the services they receive and that it will help to progress the personalisation agenda. Some delegates (10 responses) also see SDS as an opportunity to re-shape the social care sector.


Improved choice, control and flexibility of support: 23 delegates responded that these were key opportunities offered by SDS. 15 respondents used the word ‘choice’. Other key words were ‘Flexibility’, (5 people) and ‘Control’ (6 people):

• ‘Potential for person to purchase the support they really need’

• ‘Make decisions, have control and choice, self determination, Increased flexibility’

Promotes personalisation, individual outcomes and potential: Clearly this overlaps with the above, however 22 responses focused on individuals quality of life, as opposed to quality of care. Key words here were ‘Better Outcomes’ (4 people), ‘empowerment / shift in power’ (4 people), ‘personalisation/ person centred’ (5 people):

• ‘The ability to identify own self worth and personal expression’



• ‘Enabling them to live a more fulfilling life full of more opportunities’

• ‘Better lifestyle, creativity, new opportunities, shift in power’

Help to re-shape the Care sector: 10 delegates thought that SDS provided an opportunity to change or challenge practice within the sector:

• ‘Keep providers on their toes! (long overdue)’• ‘Opportunity to enhance service provision

and examine current practice’• ‘Cost effective use of resource. Potential to

strip out ineffectual services over time’

Q9. What (if anything) would you like to see happening in this local authority area to address key concerns and promote opportunities?

This question drew diverse comments concerning networking / sharing information (13 people), more involvement from people who use services and carers (9 people), provision of training (8 people) and other forms of support for providers (3 people):


Networking / sharing information: 13 peopleresponded that they would like to see this happening. 3 people specifically mentioned improved networking with Fife Council:

• ‘SDS network created for providers’• ‘More coming together of providers to share

concerns, processes and learning’• ‘More engagement/info sharing with

providers about development of SDS within Fife Council’

Involve users and carers: 9 people mentioned improved involvement and communication with these groups:

• ‘Clear and open discussion with Carers to allow some of the fear and concern that they currently have’

• ‘SDS information in alternative formats for service users/carers’

More training: 8 people identified this as a key issue. 3 people identified specific training needs: outcomes, managing change, risk assessment, finance, HR:

• ‘Support/training re. managing change both internal and external’

Other support: 3 people mentioned ‘more support ‘in relation to developing SDS, however it is not clear what form this support should take.

Specific action: 4 people identified a specific action they would like to see:

• ‘Red flag need for a certain number of high level health input (financially)’

• ‘Clear recognition of need for safe guarding in balance with choice and self determination’

• ‘Flexibility and shared assessment from Social Work’

• ‘PVG registers, trained, skilled workforce’

Q10. What action (if any) do you plan to take as a result of today’s event?


Gather more information about SDS 12 people said they would find out more about SDS:

• ‘Need to gather more information re – SDS look in more depth at possibilities / practicalities’

• ‘Reading info at policy level’



Discuss / disseminate learning from today’s event: 23 people said they would do this. Dissemination will occur with CEO / Board of Directors, Management Teams, HR Departments and Staff Teams. 2 people said that they would disseminate information to people who use services and carers:

• ‘Discuss and share wealth of information generated with MD and management team’

• ‘Look into and use the information provided to feedback to staff teams and also seek further information about where the organisation are with their plans’

• ‘Now I have a bit clearer picture I can answer some of the Carers questions a bit more confidently’

Begin planning process: 4 people said that they would use today’s event to actively start planning:

• ‘Start re-evaluating our services, look at how we can be creative and expand to meet potential, needs services’

• ‘Look at additions to the service we provide’

Q11. Please tell us about anything that you found particularly helpful or unhelpful about today’s event.

General positive comments: 12 delegates

• ‘All aspects of the day has helped enhance my understanding of SDS’

Presentations: 15 delegates indicated that the morning presentations were particularly helpful. Of these, 11 delegates found the Fife Council presentation particularly helpful:

• ‘As a provider that currently works in partnership with Fife Council it was informative to hear how they intend to take things forward’

• ‘Explanation of SDS and all presentations in morning were very informative’

Workshop discussions: 7 delegates found the workshops were particularly helpful:

• ‘Workshop was useful and practically met some questions I had. Useful to hear other peoples views and experiences’

• ‘I found the discussions in the workshop very informative and thought provoking’

Areas for improvement: 2 delegates said that the event was not long enough. Another 2 delegates said that timekeeping affected discussion and debate:

• ‘Felt very rushed through, information was helpful but interrupted by time pressures’



Recommended actions

The recommended action points will be the subject of further discussion with Fife Adult Provider forum members and other stakeholders. This will inform future action in Fife to increase capacity to implement SDS

Outcome: Improve understanding of processes and terms surrounding personalisation and self directed support.

Action: Organise training / workshop events to increase understanding of the values principles and methodologies surrounding SDS are to be arranged.

Outcome: Improve understanding of the changes providers will be required to make and the impact this will have on them and the people they support.

Action: In partnership with providers and advocacy organisations, deliver one full-day workshop / event to disseminate knowledge of good practice and innovative service models. To invite local organisations, external experts and people who use services to input to these events.

Action: Seek practical examples of SDS in action in Fife and other areas and disseminate these to provider and advocacy organisations.

Action: Further explore opportunities to work collaboratively to share learning and experience between providers. Improve links with other groups and forums for providers and advocates.

Outcome: Improve awareness of how the local authority intends to implement Self Directed Support in Fife and contribute to local authority community planning and implementation of the local strategy for self directed support.

Action: Continue to develop partnership with Fife Council SDS team. Consult with and include them in future consortium activities.

For more information please contact James Fletcher, Director ARC Scotland: [email protected]



Recommended actions Appendix 1: workshop notes

Taking forward Self-Directed Support in Fife – the providers perspective:

1. What are the practical issues arising from SDS

• How do small organisations complete? Become part of a network

• Will small providers be disadvantaged?• Will it be easier for them to be flexible?• Will we still be able to build relationships if

focus is tasks/outcomes and make change?• How will we keep skilled staff when we cannot

compete with other salaries e.g. local authorities.

• Will there be fair competition between LA and providers?

• Do we become service brokers rather than employers?

• Will staff have to pay for their own training and development? Use of E-learning

• Will customers want to pay for quality?• Will we pay staff differently for different roles.

Becomes complicated.• Flexibility V quality• Can people buy from providers who are not

on the framework.

2. What information and support do you need?

• Social work to be flexible in how they respond to organisations and individuals.

• We need information from the Council about what is happening and what has been learned.

• Where are housing, etc, in this process?• On-line information/opportunities to learn

together.

• Advice line for staff/service users.• Examples of good practice/problems.• Participation in provider forum.• We should work in partnership with the

Council.• Who represents providers on the reference

group?

3. What are the priorities arising from SDS for you?

• Considering new models of delivering services

• Achieving culture change• Achieving personalisation for people with

very complex needs.• How do we contract staff to be that flexible?

– when people want support at different times each day.

• It maybe more difficult to be flexible enough in new services as relationship will not be established.

Working through a competency framework for staff will be more difficult.

• Achieving change with same money.• Being clear about limitations against

expectations.• Complying with HR legislation• Achieving effective workforce development

and regulation – how will we contract with people – will we have to pay stand-by what is the extent of our liability if something goes wrong?

fife conference report - sds consortium project work

Health & Medicine

values of sds

understandingof sds

inimplementing sds

practical experienceof

awareness ofimplement

supportive of sds asareas

fife councilmembers

delegates on5approaches