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commissioning

One project, Art Invisible, was set up to Ophelia by Raki
support artists with a learning disability. Chowdhury, inspired
One result of this is that artist Raki by the famous Millais
Chowdhury has become more painting
communicative, confident and happy. He
had previously spent his days in a large day
centre, where he wore headphones, had
limited engagement and communication,
and occasionally became upset.
Art Invisible linked him with Outside, a
national organisation supporting outsider
artists. This year, Chowdhury took his
work to the International Outsider Art
exhibition in Paris and, more recently,
exhibited in Sotheby’s in Bond Street. His
portrait of Jarvis Cocker was sent to the
musician who, in a great moment, turned
up at Sotheby’s. so they all focus on outcome and this is that social workers are people too.
Focusing on strengths, designing support reflected in how services respond. Commissioners and social workers do
to build on these and connecting with the The relational approach with service not divest themselves of responsibility by
wider world makes the difference. users and their families should apply also issuing a direct payment. The information
to providers. That thought will inform how should be pulled together and what is
Plans into practice big commissioners want frameworks to needed should be developed. Otherwise,
Our housing plan has two main themes: be. Like users and carers, providers want it would be equivalent to giving each of us
changing shape and size; and changing engagement. Regular contact and visiting, a share of the national defence budget to
culture and practice. We have done a lot investing in support and encouraging buy our own rifle – not a good idea.
of the first and more than 67% of people providers to meet and work together has Services should be put in place only if
are in supported living. been of great benefit. they have been designed to deliver the
What does this mean in practice? Sometimes, I think we fear outcomes set out in support plans.
Service users and families have told us overengagement may compromise our In Portsmouth, people often took a
that “owning” your home means far more position, but there is no contradiction in direct payment as a way of buying
than having a tenancy. It means that, being challenging and engaging. Good something not very good to avoid having
when people come they feel like a visitor, providers love challenge. to accept something even worse. We have
and it does not feel like a staffed service. found that people have no problem with a
It means people take responsibility for Valuing social workers support plan being drawn up centrally as
their homes. We are delighted to be In the 1980s, people talked optimistically long as they are involved, own it and
engaging with Gr8 support to make sure of social work as a profession. However, there is a range of options that enable
people are supported well. more recently, it has become unclear outcomes to be achieved.
In Portsmouth, we are clear that it is about its core skills and role. At worst, We are at a critical time when
not enough to develop good services and social workers are viewed as people who commissioners may be tempted to take
support if the integrated team are not get in the way. A reductive approach has the wrong action to meet targets – build
making good referrals. been taken to assessment. bigger living units, ration services in a way
We have introduced “named workers”, Service users will benefit from that ignores individual assessment and
who work with the people they serve to rediscovered clarity and confidence. Social think of their role as meeting basic needs
identify what they want to achieve then workers need to understand and agree on to make ends meet. This is a time to
support them to achieve it. The named what make a good assessment and assert confidently that we are about
workers are proactive – they don’t go process. They need consistency on what is supporting people to live fulfilling lives as
away. A named worker may be a nurse, meant by need, and to unashamedly directed by the Care Act and Valuing
social worker, occupational therapist or declare themselves as advocates of the People. Focusing on assets of people and
speech and language therapist but all work people they support. Only then can they their communities and designing
in the same way. Far from creating more be effective commissioners. When we talk everything to support people to use and
work, this has greatly reduced duty activity. of valuing people, it is good to remember develop their strengths are the only
Importantly for commissioning, it sustainable ways to deliver savings.
enables the market to grow. Very few As you might expect, commissioners
people ring in a state of crisis saying they spend a lot of time arguing for more
are desperate to work in a coffee shop. money. When they do so, they must be
However, as named workers get to know clear that, far from undermining
people and explore their ambitions, they efficiency, focusing on independence and
identify goals so providers can take risks being part of community is the only way
and make arrangements to expect to deliver sustainable savings. n
referrals. This reduces the need to
guarantee funding to a provider to get a Mark Stables is service manager for the
service in place. In Portsmouth, we have Different class: Jarvis Cocker turned up at Integrated Learning Disability Service at
redesigned support plans and assessments Sotheby’s after Chaudbury painted his portrait Portsmouth City Council

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 4 | Summer 2018 15