City of York City Council: The benefits of a person-centred approach: a case study
Summary
This case study illustrates the multiple benefits of working in a person-centredway with one individual, enabling them to achieve their own goals. A socially isolated young man with a physical disability living on his own wanted to access the community and make new friends. With support from a Community Facilitator and the young mans personal assistant, he was enabled to e!plore his interests. This led to him attending a digital photography course and subse"uently using his photography skills to work as a volunteer on his local community centre newsletter. The work has not only benefited the young mans confidence and independence, it has also had considerable impact on his personal assistant and the community centre team. #t also indicates the benefits of direct payments.
Who was involved and what their role was
This work involved a Community Facilitator who e!plored the young mans interests with him and his personal assistant $%A&. The %A had a creative role in the pro'ect. The staff and manager at a community centre helped to raise awareness of the young mans skills and how he can contribute.
Drivers for change
The young man himself was a key driver( he wanted to do voluntary work, to contribute and do something useful. )e was supported by the Community Facilitator.
different approach
This individuals direct payments were used to fund his %A. With support fromthe Community Facilitator, the %A was able to think more about his role and how he could enable individuals to make links with community, introduce new friends, develop and value skills, and enhance peoples e!periences.The %A and Community Facilitator discovered that the young man was interested in photography and supported him to develop his skills through an adult education class, working towards accreditation. This led to him doing voluntary work at his local community centre, using his photography skills to work on the centres newsletter.
!mpact on social capital"community capacity
This young mans volunteering at a local community centre has unintentionallyraised awareness and understanding of working with people with disabilities.
)is skills are used and valued at the centre and the manager has had en"uiries about opportunities from other people with disabilities. The manager was unable to offer voluntary work to others but asked if we could set up a *drop in session at the centre to give information, advice and sign posting.+upport for this individual has further developed the Community Facilitators links with the centre and led to the possibility of this drop in service.
!mpact on the individual
The young mans social network is increasing. )is work at the centre has made him feel valued and developed his confidence and independence. )e no longer re"uires his %A to attend classes and can use him for other support.)e is keen to develop his photography work. The %A has also benefited from this. )e feels his work has more focus its better than 'ust going into town.
!mpact on commissioning
%resently we need to develop communication channels with commissioning. The use of +mall +parks funding to initiate photography work at the community centre is benefiting all at centre and minimal use of direct paymentfor support has had ma'or benefits for the individual. #t may be possible to reduce direct payments in time.
#arriers to success
#nitially the barriers at the community centre were lack of understanding of how to relate to or work with someone with a disability. +taff were concerned about how much support would be needed. +taff are now very positive about working with this young man and value his contribution.
$valuation
We have not conducted a formal evaluation but have had feedback from the individual and others involved.
Costs and benefits
The costs of working this way are minimal. #n time support from the %A to undertake the voluntary work can be reduced and the %As time can support other opportunities.
%ur advice to an area thinking of trying a similar approach
+pend time with key people involved, supporting and encouraging them to think creatively. /ont be afraid to try new ways of working.
The benefits in one sentence
0inimal direct payments initially can have a significant impact in the long termand a person-centred approach has enormous benefits.
Contact details
+usan 1eape, Community Facilitator, 2ork City Adult +ocial +ervicesTelephone 34536 776 4859mail susan.reape:york.gov.uk