NQSW resource - Outcome statement 5: Planning and intervention
Planning and intervention: Legislation and policy
Take some time to explore our list of legislation and policy. This section will provide you with the legal framework and background you need when considering this outcome statement. Remember also to familiarise yourself with your local policies and procedures, as these may have may have local variations and interpretations.
These documents have been organised into:
See also the full List of policy and legislation relevant to all outcome statements (PDF file).
Click on the titles below to read more about each resource.
Legislation
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The Health and Social Care Bill 2011Open
This Bill, if passed by Parliament, will have a major impact on health and social care in England as it proposes to:
- transfer responsibility for public health to local authorities
- establish Health and Wellbeing Boards
- introduce GP-led commissioning
- reform health and social care arm’s length bodies.
The Bill's progress can be tracked on the parliamentary website.
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Building the National Care Service – White paper (2010)Open
Shaping the future of care together – Green paper (2009) Open
The Green paper consulted on how personalised social care and support could be delivered. The proposals aimed to build a fairer system based on six elements:
- prevention services
- national assessment
- joined-up services
- information and advice
- personalised care and support
- fair funding.
The White paper reinforced the transformation agenda and the need for prevention and early intervention. It committed the previous government to a National Care Service in which people would be protected against the costs of care. The present government has indicated it will publish a new White paper in summer 2011.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a social worker you will be aware of the role of legislation and policy in determining the provision of services. You will need to be open to changes by familiarising yourself with documents as they become available.
Link: Building the National Care Service – White paper (March 2010) (PDF file)
Link: Shaping the future of care together – Green paper (July 2009)
Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 and Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 combined policy guidance (2005)Open
The 2004 Act develops previous legislation by requiring local authorities to inform carers that they may be entitled to an assessment of their needs. Local authorities may need to develop an information strategy to ensure that carers are being told of their rights and that the large numbers of ‘hidden’ carers are being reached.
As a result of amendments made by the 2004 Act, carers’ assessments must now include a consideration of whether the carer works or wishes to work, and whether they participate or wish to participate in any education, training or leisure activity. This recognises that carers should be able to take up opportunities that those without caring responsibilities take for granted.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you work and liaise with carers constantly. This Act recognises their needs as individuals and the importance of responding to those needs. You need to provide evidence of how you have facilitated carers’ assessments.
Data Protection Act 1998: protection and use of patient information (2000)Open
Part 1 of the document begins by discussing the Act's background and major provisions. It goes on to set out the eight principles for data protection articulated by the Act, and the conditions it lays down on fair and lawful processing of personal data. Parts 2 and 3 set out transitional provisions on manual and automated records, and access rights to personal data. Part 4 sets out the Act's provisions on notification of processing, particularly in relation to the principle of security. Part 5 lists information resources to assist implementation. The NHS Information Authority named in this document no longer operates. Its functions have been moved to other organisations such as NHS Connecting for Health and the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you will be collecting and dealing with complex and sensitive information. Although sharing information is vital for early intervention and prevention, you should always record and report your decisions, providing evidence to substantiate why you have shared or not shared information, and how you have shared it securely.
Link: Data Protection Act 1998: protection and use of patient information (2000)
Equality Act 2010, Parts 2, 3 and 11 Open
This Act consolidates existing legislation banning discrimination on grounds of gender, race and disability; and extends similar protection to other characteristics: age, religion/belief and sexual orientation. It makes it illegal to discriminate against people on grounds of age, as well as other characteristics, in the provision of goods and services, including health and social care services. It rules out both direct and indirect discrimination, and also makes illegal both harassment and victimisation on the prescribed grounds. It imposes a duty on public bodies to promote equality by seeking to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between those with and without protected characteristics. It provides scope for proportionate positive action to alleviate disadvantage among protected groups, reduce their under-representation, and meet their particular needs.
How this resource applies to outcomes
From October 2010, there is a duty on public bodies to promote equality, and from April 2012 it will be illegal to discriminate against any member of the designated groups in providing health and social care services. The biggest impact is likely to be in your work with older people, and other groups, where age discrimination is a feature of current practice, decision-making and service provision. You should be aware of national and local guidance on how to work in ways which promote age equality, and know how to respond to situations where discrimination takes place.
Link: Equality Act 2010
Health Act 2009 Chapter 3 Direct PaymentsOpen
Personal health budgets are intended to help create a more personalised NHS, by giving people more control over their care. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) can already offer personal budgets that do not involve giving money directly to individuals. The Health Act 2009 extends these options by providing power to allow direct payments, where the individual is given the money to buy their own health care as agreed in a care plan.
How this resource applies to outcomes
For many of the more complex cases, physical health issues need to be considered as part of an overall care package. Having the option to work more closely with health colleagues, perhaps as part of a ‘team around the patient’, will enable users of services to have far more choice and voice over their lives and the care and support they receive. Working more closely with health colleagues will require:
- clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
- regular review to ensure provision still meets the needs of the service user
- clear lines of communication and identified processes for resolving conflict or differences of opinion.
Human Rights Act 1998Open
The Human Rights Act 1998 came into force in full on 2 October 2000, and makes the main Articles from the European Convention on Human Rights enforceable under national law in the UK. This means that, although individuals have always had the rights set out in the convention, you may now rely on them directly in UK courts.
The UK has been committed to the European Convention of Human Rights since 1951 and therefore Convention principles have already been reflected in legislation and government policies and have been informing best practice in health and social care.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you will contribute to the formal review of plans in accordance with statutory requirements and timetables. You will need to demonstrate how you have ensured maximum levels of participation of individuals throughout the process, such as through accessible information and independent advocacy. The Human Rights Act 1998 places a duty on public agencies to intervene proportionately to protect the rights of children and adults and enable them to live lives free from violence and abuse.
Link: Human Rights Act 1998
Independence, well-being and choice: our vision for the future of social care for adults in England (2005)Open
Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services (2006)Open
The Green paper set out a vision for adult social care. It was the basis for extending people’s choice and control.
The White paper that followed reinforced the vision and direction for the whole health and social care system. It sought to give people a stronger voice.
How this resource applies to outcomes
The Green paper and White paper were key documents of the previous government in setting the scene for the transformation of adult social care.
Link: Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services (2006)
Mental Capacity Act (2005): Mental Capacity Act Code of practice (2007)Open
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 covers England and Wales and provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity. It sets out who can take decisions, in which situations, and how they should go about this. It describes their responsibilities when acting or making decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the capacity to act. In particular, the Code of practice focuses on those who have a duty of care to someone who lacks the capacity to agree to the care that is being provided.
The Mental Capacity Act Code of practice provides guidance and information on how the Act will work on a day-to-day basis for anyone who works with or cares for people who lack capacity, including family, friends and unpaid carers. It encapsulates the need to respect diversity, minimise harm and use the least restrictive options.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Listening to people’s needs and facilitating their participation in their person-centred care is one of the core principles of adult social care. Equally, you have a role in protecting individuals from abuse and neglect. People who are deemed to lack capacity are subject to additional protection from best-interests assessments and deprivation of liberty safeguards. You will need to demonstrate how you have critically analysed the information you have and communicated with families and carers to ensure the wishes of the individual are followed as much as is practicable.
Strong and prosperous communities – the Local Government White paper (2006)Open
The aim of this White paper was to give local people and local communities more influence and power to improve their lives. It is about creating strong, prosperous communities and delivering better public services through a rebalancing of the relationship between central government, local government and local people.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Ensuring that people are actively involved in identifying the outcomes they want to achieve is critical. You can support this process by ensuring that the needs and voices of community groups and individuals are heard in a range of forums including those where services are commissioned.
Link: Strong and prosperous communities – the Local Government White paper (2006)
Policies, procedures and strategies
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A vision for adult social care: capable communities and active Citizens (2010)Open
Freeness, fairness and responsibility are the values underpinning the policy document. The vision provides a clear steer from the Coalition Government for the direction of adult social care. The principles are laid out on page 8 of the report (Prevention, Personalisation, Partnership, Plurality, Protection, Productivity and People). The vision document is accompanied by four supporting papers, on safeguarding and personalisation; transparency in outcomes; developing the market; and building stronger communities.
Complementing the vision is the Think local, act personal initiative supported by ADASS, SCIE and many lead organisations.
How this resource applies to outcomes
This applies to all 12 outcome statements. You may wish to note the prominence of community capacity building, service development and protection (safeguarding) with joint and integrated working as a thread throughout.
The role of the College of Social Work and the commitment to ‘New freedoms’ (P37) should be noted. In addition, independent social work practices in adult services, feature in the changed landscape. Se also information about the Pilot sites for Children’s services.
Link: A vision for adult social care: capable communities and active Citizens
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A new ambition for old age: next steps in implementing the National Service Framework for older people. A resource document (2006)Open
The National Service Framework for older people was published in March 2001. It set national standards for the health and social care of older people in England and guidance on medicines management. This document outlines how ten programmes under three themes – dignity in care, joined-up care, and healthy ageing – will be implemented.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Treating people with dignity is a fundamental principle of social work. As a NQSW you have to demonstrate how you have achieved that throughout the care pathway to ensure individuals can maximise their participation and control over the care and support they receive. Successful collaboration with other disciplines is a part of any assessment and intervention. You are expected to contribute to a ‘team’ around an individual to deliver a care plan that requires input from different organisations.
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Best practice in managing risk: principles and guidance for best practice in the assessment and management of risk to self and others in mental health services (2007)Open
This framework document is intended to guide mental health practitioners who work with service users to manage the risk of harm. It sets out a framework of principles that should underpin best practice across all mental health settings, and provides a list of tools that can be used to structure the often complex risk management process. The philosophy underpinning this framework is one that balances care needs against risk needs, and that emphasises:
- positive risk management
- collaboration with the service user and others involved in care
- the importance of recognising and building on the service user’s strengths
- the organisation’s role in risk management alongside that of the individual practitioner.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you may be involved in complex cases where mental health is a feature. This may be the primary concern or part of a more complex situation. The evidence you provide for meeting these outcome statements should demonstrate how you have used your organisational policies, involved individuals and their families and carers, and sought appropriate representation for them. Although being risk-averse has been a feature of social work, current policy encourages positive and appropriate risk-taking that builds on strengths and resilience. This has to be balanced with your duty to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
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Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities: a caring system on your side, a life of your own (2008)Open
This strategy document outlines how the needs of carers must, over the next 10 years, be elevated to the centre of family policy and receive the recognition and status they deserve. The previous government vision was that by 2018, carers would be universally recognised and valued as being fundamental to strong families and stable communities.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you need to provide evidence of how you have facilitated the ongoing involvement of carers and what you have done both to recognise their needs and to provide them with the support they need.
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Code of practice for social care workers and Code of practice for employers of social care workers (2004)Open
The Codes of practice for social care workers and employers of social care workers describe the standards of conduct and practice within which they should work.
How this resource applies to outcomes
These are the Codes by which all your practice is measured. They encapsulate the professionalism expected from regulators, employers and those who use services. Any concerns should be raised with supervisors and addressed immediately.
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Code of practice Mental Health Act 1983 (revised 2008) Open
The Code provides guidance to registered medical practitioners, approved clinicians, managers and staff of hospitals, and approved mental health professionals on how they should proceed when undertaking duties under the Mental Health Act. The Code should also be beneficial to the police and ambulance services and others in health and social services (including the independent and voluntary sectors) involved in providing services to people who are, or may become, subject to compulsory measures under the Act.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Although as a NQSW you will not be making assessments under Mental Health Act legislation, you may be involved in other ways, perhaps as part of a multi-agency team, through review of a personal budget or providing other services. You may also have a role in referrals and assessments and in identifying risk, safeguarding, planning and review of interventions, and working collaboratively with others to ensure complex needs are met.
Link: Code of practice Mental Health Act 1983 (revised 2008) (PDF)
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Common Assessment Framework for adults (2010)Open
Following a public consultation on improving the quality and efficiency of care and support through improvements in the sharing and use of information, a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) demonstrator site programme became the first phase in development and testing across health, social care and wider community support services. Sites were chosen to lead the way in creating a more efficient and transparent system of information-sharing, to avoid duplication in assessments and ensure that people receive the best quality care and support. The sites are led by the local adult social services and involve a range of community and acute health services, mental health trusts, housing support services and IT suppliers as well as wider partners in the voluntary and private sector. Several new sites have now been identified. Projects will run to March 2012 and will be the subject of a national evaluation. Emerging learning from the work of both the phase 1 and phase 2 demonstrator sites is published on the CAF learning network.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Sharing of information and confidentiality have been constant issues in social work and social care. Improved systems and processes should make working across different sectors much easier. However, for NQSWs the idea is to seek and gain consent from people to share their information with others, regardless of the outcome of these pilots. This is considered to be good practice and fits in with the principles of self-directed support, self-assessment, and working with a person to identify who else should be involved in delivering a complete package of care.
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Common core principles to support self-care: a guide to support implementation (2008)Open
Skills for Health and Skills for Care have worked with key stakeholders, including people who use services, and carers, to develop a set of Common core principles to support self-care. The principles capture best practice in order to support service reform and promote choice, control, independence and participation of people who use services.
- Principle 1: Ensure individuals are able to make informed choices to manage their self-care needs.
- Principle 2: Communicate effectively to enable individuals to assess their needs, and develop and gain confidence to self-care.
- Principle 3: Support and enable individuals to access appropriate information to manage their self-care needs.
- Principle 4: Support and enable individuals to develop skills in self-care.
- Principle 5: Support and enable individuals to use technology to support self-care.
- Principle 6: Advise individuals how to access support networks and participate in the planning, development and evaluation of services.
- Principle 7: Support and enable risk management and risk taking to maximise independence and choice.
How this resource applies to outcomes
These principles are fundamental for a NQSW and are key to demonstrating that the outcome statements have been achieved.
Link: Common core principles to support self-care: a guide to support implementation (2008)
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Equality impact assessment (EqIA) (2008)Open
Policy-makers must screen all new (and eventually, all existing) policies for their impact on people from different ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, men and women (including transgendered people), people with different sexual orientations, people in different age groups, people with different religions or beliefs, and people from differing social and economic groups. Equality impact assessments (EqIAs) are generally published alongside the main policy document against which the assessment was conducted.
These are the principles on which the commitment to equality is based:
- getting rid of illegal or unreasonable discrimination and harassment
- encouraging equality
- helping different groups of people to get on well together to improve community relations
- encouraging positive attitudes towards disabled people
- taking account of a person’s disabilities, even if this means treating them more favourably than other people
- involving people in decisions about their health and social care and their access to services.
How this resource applies to outcomes
The application of these principles to everyday work is fundamental for a NQSW. They apply to all the outcome statements and emphasise the importance of tackling inequality and social exclusion, and of representing and advocating for groups and people from whom we seldom hear.
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Fairer contributions guidance: calculating an individual's contribution to their personal budget (2009)Open
This guidance supplements the current fairer charging guidance and provides councils with a model for calculating a person's contribution to their personal budget. If a financial assessment shows that the person has enough income or savings to contribute to their personal budget, the council will tell them what the actual contribution might be. A care or support plan will then be prepared, setting out how the person wants their needs to be met using their personal budget.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW, you will need to discuss these issues with individuals, their families and carers. This is inevitably an area of concern for people and so you will need to be familiar with your organisational policy and demonstrate how you have applied it.
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Good practice in support planning and brokerage (2008)Open
This paper sets out a discussion of what support planning and brokerage is, how it can be provided and what emerging good practice there is after a few years of developing self-directed support in England.
How this resource applies to outcomes
You will need to demonstrate that you have supported the process of planning and explored a range of options through the use of support brokerage.
Link: Good practice in support planning and brokerage (2008) (PDF)
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Improving the life chances of disabled people (2005)Open
The report proposes that the government should set an ambitious vision for improving the life chances of disabled people. Future strategy for disabled people should seek to realise this vision through practical measures in four key areas:
- by helping disabled people to achieve independent living
- by improving support for families with young disabled children
- by facilitating a smooth transition into adulthood
- by improving support and incentives for getting and staying in employment.
How this resource applies to outcomes
This strategy underlines the importance of understanding the experiences of disabled people and how they can determine and participate in identifying their support needs. It should be applied throughout the care pathway, reflecting changing needs and issues, when planning, delivering and commissioning person-centred interventions with different levels of complexity.
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Living well with dementia: a national dementia strategy (2009)Open
Living well with dementia: a national dementia strategy implementation plan (2009)Open
This strategy provides a strategic framework within which local services can:
- deliver quality improvements to dementia services and address health inequalities relating to dementia
- provide advice, guidance and support for health and social care commissioners in the planning, development and monitoring of services.
- provide a guide to the content of high-quality services for dementia.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you need to demonstrate how you have worked effectively with private, voluntary sector, micro and direct employers to provide a package of support. You need to work with and understand the different structures and governance of these organisations and ensure your approach reflects these differences in working towards improving outcomes for individuals with dementia, their families and carers.
Link: Living well with dementia: a national dementia strategy (2009)
Link: Living well with dementia: a national dementia strategy implementation plan (2009) (PDF file)
National Service Framework for mental health: modern standards and service models for mental health (1999)Open
The National Service Framework (NSF) for mental health addressed the mental health needs of working age adults up to 65. It set out national standards, national service models, local action and national underpinning programmes for implementation with performance indicators to support effective performance management.
See New horizons – a shared vision for mental health (2009).
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you need to demonstrate how you have enabled individuals to make informed choices to manage their social care needs. This should be informed by principles of dignity, choice and independence.
National Service Framework for older people and system reform (2001)Open
The National Service Framework (NSF) for older people was published in March 2001 as a ten-year programme. It sets new national standards and service models of care across health and social services for all older people. In order to deliver improved lives and greater value for money, work to redesign services and systems incorporates five key areas:
- early intervention for old age conditions
- streaming to specialist care in crisis situations
- early transfer to the community for rehabilitation in intermediate care
- multidisciplinary assessment prior to care home placement
- partnership working across health and social care.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you need to demonstrate how you have worked effectively with private, voluntary sector, micro and direct employers to provide a package of support. You need to work with and understand the different structures and governance of these organisations and ensure your approach reflects these differences in working towards improving outcomes for individuals, their families and carers. Finding ways to fill gaps in a care package is a key part of your role.
Link: National Service Framework for older people and system reform (2001)
New horizons: A shared vision for mental health (2009): Confident communities, brighter futures: A framework for developing well-being (2010)Open
New horizons is a cross-government programme of action put in place by the previous government. It has the twin aims of improving the mental health and well-being of the population, and improving the quality and accessibility of services for people with poor mental health.
The programme provides a systematic approach to improving mental well-being with selected evidence-based approaches and interventions that have been shown to be effective across the life course, and across key public health domains. It includes chapters on risk and resilience, developing sustainable communities, participation and the role of different sectors in delivering well-being and mental health.
The 2009 document gives insight into the thinking and the 2010 document provides a framework for action.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Although as a NQSW will not be making assessments under Mental Health Act 1983 legislation, you may be involved in other ways, perhaps as part of a multi-agency team or through review of a personal budget. Much of the emphasis of New horizons is on early intervention and prevention. You may therefore receive referrals, undertake a more general assessment, and have a role to play in identifying risk, safeguarding, planning and review of interventions, and working collaboratively with others to ensure complex needs are met. As a social worker you will be interested in both these documents in terms of assessment, planning, review, service development and community capacity building.
Link: New horizons: A shared vision for mental health (2009) (PDF file)
Link: Confident communities, brighter futures: A framework for developing well-being (2010) (PDF)
No secrets: guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (2000)Open
This document gives guidance to local agencies with a responsibility to investigate and take action when a vulnerable adult is believed to be suffering abuse. It offers a structure and content for the development of local inter-agency policies, procedures and joint protocols which will draw on good practice nationally and locally.
How this resource applies to outcomes
The changing face of adult social care is not without risk and it is everybody’s business to do what they can to protect vulnerable people. As a NQSW you need to demonstrate your abilities to access timely information, provide early intervention, safeguard and manage risk effectively and communicate concerns with the different people and organisations with whom you work. This is essential throughout the care pathway in identifying safeguards against physical, sexual, financial abuse and neglect.
Personalisation through person-centred planning (2010)Open
This guidance includes a range of tools and good practice examples on person-centred planning and support to give people more choice and control over their lives.
How this resource applies to outcomes
This is a useful tool to help you think about planning, delivering and managing person-centred interventions, with varying levels of complexity.
Link: Personalisation through person-centred planning (2010)
Prevention package for older people (2009)Open
This resource focuses on prevention as a means of ensuring good health, well-being and independence in later life, by promoting and encouraging uptake of comprehensive health and social care services for older people.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Although a person may not meet the thresholds of your service, as a NQSW it is valuable to be aware of other resources in your area to enable signposting to other sources of support. As people’s needs change over time, review of care plans should reflect obstacles and blocks to address any newly identified risks.
Prioritising need in the context of Putting people first. A whole system approach to eligibility for social care: guidance on eligibility criteria for adult social care (2010)Open
Public funding for social care will always be limited in the face of demand and the resources that are available should therefore be allocated according to individual need in a way that is as fair and transparent as possible. This guidance states that councils should ensure that each decision about a person’s eligibility for support is taken following an appropriate community care assessment involving both the person seeking support and the people around them assisting with their care and choices. This assessment should be based on the individual’s needs, following which planning for support should be undertaken to identify what outcomes the individual would like to achieve and how they might use the resources available to them to do so.
Eligibility criteria should be made readily available and accessible to service users, their carers, the public more generally, and other relevant local bodies. The eligibility framework is graded into four bands:
- critical
- substantial
- moderate
- low.
If a council is offering personal budgets, it will be expected to implement Fairer contributions guidance: calculating an individual’s contribution to their personal budget (2010).
How this resource applies to outcomes
Evidence suggests that the quality of response to a person’s first contact with a council is crucial to the outcomes they later experience. As part of the self-directed support process, assessment should be carried out as a collaborative process, in a way that is both transparent and understandable for the person seeking support.
An individual’s need should take account of the support which carers, family members, friends and neighbours are willing and able to offer. Assumptions about amount of and standards of caring should not be made, and in some instances, carers are entitled to an assessment of their own needs to support them in their role.
Some people will not be eligible for support because their needs do not meet the council’s eligibility criteria. Councils should still be prepared to provide individuals with useful information and advice about other sources of support. This might include assistance for people to build their own support plans to help maintain their independence and well-being. The emphasis is on detailed, accurate, collaborative assessments, and NQSWs are expected to demonstrate their skills in engaging with people to ensure they have the right information with which to make an informed decision.
Putting people first (2007)Open
The shared ambition of this policy is to put people first through a radical reform of public services, enabling people to live their own lives as they wish, confident that services are of high quality, are safe and promote their own individual needs for independence, well-being and dignity. It set out the shared aims and values which would guide the transformation of adult social care.
How this resource applies to outcomes
In terms of building community capacity, this concordat provided a vision for ensuring groups and communities were involved, heard and understood in the identification of gaps and development of services.
Refocusing the Care Programme Approach (2008)Open
This guidance updates policy and sets out positive practice guidance for trusts and commissioners to review local practice and refocus the Care Programme Approach (CPA) within mental health services. All individuals receiving treatment, care and support from secondary mental health services are entitled to receive high quality care based on an individual assessment of the range of their needs and choices.
How this resource applies to outcomes
You will need to demonstrate how you have worked with individuals, their families and carers to produce a balanced judgement about their needs. Equally, you will need to show how you have analysed information and managed the tension when your responsibility and duty of care to safeguard may be in conflict with the person’s wishes.
Link: Refocusing the Care Programme Approach (2008) (PDF file)
Scoping review of the research and evidence base relating to advocacy services and older people's entry into care homes in England (2009)Open
The review sought to inform planned work on the development of independent advocacy services being considered as part of the Independent Living Review by the Office for Disability Issues. Platt (2006) identified four reasons why advice, advocacy and information are essential for older people, especially those considering care home entry:
- they help people understand their options
- they enable people to make their voices heard
- they ensure that older people enjoy the same rights as everyone else
- they lead to value for money – people’s own money, as well as public money.
As a NQSW some of the people you work with may benefit from independent advocacy in ensuring their needs are represented and to enable them to participate fully. This may be due to conflict with you, or the need for specialist support with particular communication issues. You need to demonstrate how you have involved advocates in your decision-making process.
Sharing the learning: user-led organisations action and learning sites 2008–2010Open
Improving the life chances of disabled people made the recommendation that ‘By 2010, each locality (defined as that area covered by a Council with social services responsibilities) should have a user-led organisation modelled on existing Centres for Independent Living’. There has been an initial wave of sites demonstrating the advantages of having such a local resource, and many user-led organisations (ULOs) deliver services such as information and advice, advocacy and support services for people receiving direct payments. The value of the local knowledge, direct experience and peer support that ULOs can provide is now widely accepted. A range of resources have been developed to form a toolkit. These resources are available from the National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL) website and from the websites of individual Action Learning Sites.
How this resource applies to outcomes
Making good links with your local ULO is an essential part of being a NQSW. This should be part of your induction, but it is worth putting time and effort into developing these relationships, partly as a resource for you and those who receive services and partly as a way of building community capacity, identifying gaps in service provision and developing new services. It is also a way of demonstrating effective communication, collaboration and co-production.
Link: Sharing the learning: user-led organisations action and learning sites 2008–2010 (PDF)
Single Assessment Process (modified 2007)Open
Information sharing and local protocols (2004) Open
This guidance does not recommend the use of a single assessment tool. Rather it provides a rigorous framework that will lead to convergence of assessment methods and results over time, irrespective of the tools chosen for local use.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you will need to identify your role and responsibilities within the Single Assessment Process (SAP) to avoid duplication and confusion, and to ensure accurate recording of person-centred and outcome-focused multidisciplinary needs. You will need to demonstrate how you have collaborated with others and understood their roles and how they can contribute to effective interventions. Developing these relationships should be underpinned by professionalism, mutual understanding and a common goal to improve outcomes. You should also be familiar with your organisational policies on information-sharing.
Link: Single Assessment Process (modified 2007)
Link: Information sharing and local protocols (2004) (PDF file)
Social care for deafblind children and adults (2009)Open
This circular requires local authorities to identify deafblind people in their area, ensure assessments are undertaken by suitably trained people, ensure services provided to deafblind people are appropriate (recognising that they may not necessarily be able to benefit from mainstream services), and provide information about services in formats and methods that are accessible.
How this resource applies to outcomes
This document incorporates tasks around service development and building community capacity, as well as having the skills and knowledge to ensure a comprehensive assessment is undertaken using all of technology available to ensure the views and opinions of deafblind people are heard.
Link: Social care for deafblind children and adults (2009) (PDF file)
The community care assessment directions (2004)Open
Full involvement of individuals and their carers in both assessment and care planning has long been recognised as good practice. The community care assessment directions place existing good practice and guidance on conducting care assessments and care planning into a legal framework.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you must be able to demonstrate how you have consulted with the person and their carers, the steps you have taken to reach an agreement with the person about their needs, and how you have provided information, including financial details, about their entitlements based on your assessment.
Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities (2009): Valuing people now delivery plan (2010–11): Valuing people now and PSA 16 housing delivery plan (2010–11)Open
Valuing people now set out a government strategy for people with learning disabilities for 2009–12. It also responded to the main recommendations in Healthcare for all, the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities.
How this resource applies to outcomes
A key element of delivery will be the development of capacity and capability at local levels to design and commission the support services that people need to enable them to live independently and close to their families and friends. Local partnership with people with learning disabilities and their families will be crucial to this, and Learning Disability partnership boards have a vital role to play.
The move away from traditional provision such as day centres, to supporting people to live as they want in the community, requires culture, systems, and structures to change. Building community capacity is essential through programmes such as Shared Lives. NQSWs are in a position to advocate such changes and demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved.
Link: Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities (2009)
Link: Valuing people now delivery plan (2010–11)
Link: Valuing people now and PSA 16 housing delivery plan (2010–11)
Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (2010)Open
This guide sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. It is important that all practitioners working to safeguard children and young people understand their responsibilities and duties as set out in primary legislation and associated regulations and guidance.
The guide is addressed to practitioners and frontline managers who have particular responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and to senior and operational managers.
How this resource applies to outcomes
As a NQSW you will be working with individuals and families who are facing different levels of risk of abuse or neglect. You may be working as part of a multi-agency team in this process and you will need to show you understand your responsibilities.
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Full outcome statement
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