"Another Way" report, from VODG
Stories of success in social care: case studies set out foundations for quality, cost-effective support.
Joe was sectioned at the age of 17. Restrained by care staff often 15 times a day, the severely learning disabled teenager was deemed a risk to himself and his family. With no appropriate provision near his family in Oxford, Joe seemed destined for institutional care in another county.
Yet today, Joe, now 20, lives in local supported housing, has a bespoke care plan and is rebuilding his relationship with his family. His life is being transformed.
Joe’s inspiring journey towards appropriate social care is among the powerful stories published in a compelling new report today by the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG).
Another Way: transforming people’s lives through good practice in social care, is published in response to the Winterbourne View scandal earlier this year which exposed the abuse of people with complex learning disabilities at a care unit in Bristol.
Gavin Harding, who co-chairs the National Forum for People with Learning Disabilities and chairs self-help advocacy group Voices for People, writes in today’s report: “There is another way, which is presented in this report. It’s about putting people with learning disabilities and their families at the centre of planning and delivery of care.”
Through a series of interviews with families and care providers, the VODG, which brings together more than 50 leading voluntary sector disability organisations, outlines the key elements that can contribute to high quality, cost-effective care.
Another Way underlines that the foundations of support for vulnerable adults involve, amongst other issues, unique, tailor-made care plans as well as strong and creative relationships between local authorities and the care providers they commission. The report also stresses that adhering to such key issues not only leads to successful outcomes for families and individuals, but is cost-effective for commissioners and enables providers to put their values into action.
The report reflects the national care policy drives towards personalisation and co-production which, taken together, entail more control and choice for individuals and a collaborative approach between service users and providers. Another Way is launched today at an event in London by the Think Local, Act Personal partnership which supports personalised, community-based support.
The moving testimonies in the report include the story of a young man who was in Winterbourne View before his family secured him more tailor-made support. As his father explains: “We hoped it was the right place –we could not have been more wrong.”
VODG general secretary John Adams says: “Winterbourne View symbolised all that is wrong with adult social care, but we don’t want it to be synonymous with the entire sector. Through powerful stories of support Another Way outlines the core issues that help make the lives of vulnerable people more equitable.”
Download:
'Another Way: transforming people’s lives through good practice in social care' (PDF 616Kb)
For more information:
For interviews, quotes and case study information or a print edition of the report, contact John Adams, VODG general secretary, 07917 670 509 info@vodg.org.uk
Editor’s notes:
- There are an estimated 1.5m people with a learning disability in the UK.
- The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) is the leading umbrella group of more than 50 voluntary sector providers of social care services for adults with disabilities. The members’ shared aim is to ensure that people with disabilities are supported in ways that they themselves define. The group shapes the development of social care policy, influences its implementation and provides information and research.
- Winterbourne View care unit in Bristol was closed six months ago after BBC’s Panorama filmed abuse of patients with learning disabilities. For background see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13548222
- The Think Local, Act Personal partnership (www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk) comprises of more than 30 national and umbrella organisations representing the broad interest in personalisation and community-based support. The report is launched at the group’s Making it Real event at the Surrey County Cricket Club, Kennington, south London.
- Today’s report, Another Way, features case studies from care providers and VODG members including MacIntyre, Affinity Trust, DeafblindUK and National Autistic Society.
- The National Forum for People with Learning Disabilities (http://www.nationalforum.co.uk) is a user-led group, representing the views of individuals with learning disabilities and reflecting those views to the government.
