Am I Invisible? Using co-production to advocate change in social care
Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic: A co-production project with people with learning disabilities and autism.
Summary of the project
A group of experienced London-based self-advocates met online to discuss their own stories from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group agreed to meet again in person to create a video which captured their discussions. In this video, they put forward their suggestions for how staff at all levels could better support and be more accountable to the people that they work with in the future.
Listening to the individual
You have to get to know the individual
Look at ways they can communicate to work together and find a new rhythm of working
Knowing what we know about what has worked well recently and where there are still gaps, it is time to explore doing things differently.
Watch the video here
‘The SCIE Fliers’: Our co-production group
Learning Disability and Autism Awareness Trainer, Certitude’s ‘Treat Me Right’ project.
Member of London Borough of Redbridge Forum, as well as interviewing staff and other work for NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust).
Advocates for people with learning disabilities and autism, London Borough of Havering.
Campaigns officer for Community ConneX, London Borough of Harrow.
Campaigns and Advice Project Officer, Speak Out in Hounslow.
Chairperson of Croydon People First, London Borough of Croydon.
Facilitator.
Am I Invisible? A poem by Sedley Wilson
We walk down the same street together but you still cannot see me
Is it because I am different
We live in the same community but you refuse to acknowledge me
© Sedley Wilson, 2022
What needs to change: Learning from our experiences
Our ideas for organisations
Look at different ways of hearing back directly from the people you work with, so that you can provide the kinds of services that will carry out their views and wishes.
The problem is if we don’t get listened to you don’t get the stuff needed for those people who need it.
As we move towards more ‘hybrid working’, using a mixture of communication methods try to find a good balance between meeting with people face-to-face (which they usually prefer) as well as making contact by phone and online.
Disability Awareness Training can and should be delivered by people with learning disabilities and autism.
Why co-production matters
Why is it good to have co-production groups as sounding boards?
Hearing it from people that have got lived experience
The process of talking together builds up people’s abilities and confidence.
Bringing together service providers and the people that they work for.
Over time everyone learns to talk straight to one another.
We all share in the benefits.
Involving people in making decisions
Person-centred care still matters. For example, knowing the individual’s likes and dislikes and creating a care system designed around the person.
Involve people directly in making decisions about their care, benefits and rights.
Recognise the roles of an individual’s informal carers and advocates, especially regarding capacity issues.
Work towards collaboration.
Find more information here: Freedom to choose and dignity in care
Our ideas for care agencies and providers
Being able to choose your own carer.
Better communication. Find more information here: Information and good communication to promote dignity
Building of trusting relationships through the continuity of carers.
Protecting the safety and mental health of individuals who need close personal support.
Importance of employing vaccinated workers, and using effective PPE. Find more information here: If you haven’t been vaccinated, could someone else come and see me please?
Our ideas for health and social care service
Access to care – people with learning disabilities prefer face-to-face to virtual connections, although many have learned to use Zoom effectively. Find more information here: Building rapport and establishing meaningful relationships using technology in social work
Consent issues – don’t make assumptions about capacity.
The talk of ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) during COVID-19 alarmed people.
Worried this will happen to me
Recognise that people’s health and care needs change over time. These needs should be monitored and reviewed with regular updates.
Our ideas for local authorities
Re-invest in community support services especially self-advocacy groups.
Involve people with lived experiences in co-designing support. Find more information here: Commissioning beyond COVID-19: the foundations
Be clear about what can be paid for through self-directed care and personal budgets.
Hiring personal carers may not work for everybody. The Local Authority needs to offer the right support to make this possible if it’s what is asked for.
People are equal, not an afterthought
Acknowledgments
SCIE and members of the Learning Disability co-production group, the ‘SCIE fliers’ would like to thank the various charitable trusts and foundations that have kindly made this project possible. This includes the National Lottery Community Fund and the Santa Barbara Heights Charitable Trust and others who wish to remain anonymous.
If you are interested in supporting future SCIE work, find out about how you can support us