Transformation Partner - Community Led Support in Adult Social Care

What Cheshire West & Chester want to achieve through development of enhanced community led support services:

Engaged staff and improved morale - Through innovation in practice, embed within teams of practitioners a strong culture of strengths based, person centred working and promotion of independence, choice and control; An approach that looks first to the person's own strengths and gifts, their social capital and the community around them. This should include work with teams supporting adults with complex needs, older people, the Intermediate Tier Services including the Integrated Home First Team, the Transitions service and Learning Disability and Mental Health services.

Co-production - Involve the voluntary sector, other partners, community groups and local people in collaborating together to develop new ways of working. The expectation is that the successful provider will ensure Co-production within the nine care communities in Cheshire West & Chester is at the heart of this work and partners from the voluntary sector as well as local community groups and individuals need to be involved and kept informed as much as possible.

Greater Efficiency - Streamline working processes and paperwork, devolving decision making to teams whilst strengthening responsibility and ownership of changes. An asset-based conversation between the practitioner and the person is essential but, to be effective, does need to be supported by the process and systems around it. This includes considering the language used, the information recorded and the process that follows.

Easier Access - Explore new ways of managing demand that may involve setting up 'community hubs' in partnership with local people and organisations where people can have face to face discussions within their community and seek guidance and information and which may result in a proportionate assessment.

Better outcomes and experiences for local people - measured and quantified through an evidence based approach to reporting and evaluation. Determining the impact of the work will be based on clarity around the desired outcomes and definitions of success.

Financial Benefits - evidenced based information on cost avoidance through demand management - preventing reducing and delaying the needs for formal care and in year budget savings as a result of this approach.

Leadership development - Work on site with those in leadership roles to consider the behaviours and approaches to instilling a culture of trust and empowerment whilst ensuring core duties are fulfilled.

Shared Learning - Facilitate networking events and peer forums with other areas who are on the strength based journey in a structured way to enable shared learning and development

Links with Commissioning - Undertake some dedicated work with the commissioning service and cross-site work to explore how commissioning needs to change to reflect a community and asset led approach. Documents are on the Chest, www.the-chest.org.uk