Welcome to issue 7
We were recently challenged by Dana O’Dwyer,Capability Scotland’s Chief Executive, to identifythe bright spots in the organisation. This issue ofChoice showcases a number of such examples ofgood practice or inspiring performance. You can read about our great work with the NHS to improve healthcare services for people withcommunication support needs. Our new ‘me andmy...’ feature demonstrates the highquality of support our staff team provides to thosewho use our services every day.
And, we have a bright spot of our own tocelebrate. Choice was awarded the accolade ofBest Employee Magazine at the Institute of InternalCommunications (IIC Awards). This is the thirdyear in a row that Choice has been recognisedby these awards. It is testimony to everyone whosupports Choice by being part of the editorialteam, submitting articles and ideas and, of course,reading each issue. Thank you all.
Don’t forget Choice is available in a range ofaccessible formats including easy read. ContactLorna Thompson at the Advice Service withyour requirements.
Enjoy issue 7.
Julie Laird
Communications Co-ordinator
A message from Dana
It has been a busy few monthssince I wrote my first messageto you in the Winter/Springissue of Choice. I’m enjoyingevery minute of meeting youin your services and teamsand gathering your thoughtsand ideas. In particular, I’veappreciated your honesty andopenness, both during my visitsand in your responses to thequestions I posed in the payrollupdate. I am delighted to sharea summary of those responseswith you below.
I mentioned in the last editionof Choice that I would bereviewing Capability Scotland’sstrategic plan with colleaguesin the Executive ManagementBoard. We have taken the timeto translate the great wealthof information you’ve givenme into actions that reallywill move our organisationforward. Our Trustees are anessential part of this process insetting the strategic directionof the organisation and wewill be utilising their skills andexperience as we finalise ournew plan.
It’s important to remainfocused on the future, and,of course, it’s part of my roleas Chief Executive to providea clear vision of what theorganisation’s future will hold.That’s why it is so crucial thatwe get our strategic plan andobjectives right.
However, you only have toflick through Choice to see greatexamples of the work takingplace in the organisation rightnow. It can be an apparentlysmall thing like supporting anindividual to have their own emailaddress for the first time (see First Person article on below).Or it could be a huge thing likehelping a young person to makethe move into adult life (below). Whichever, this issue reallyshows how we are supportingthe people who use our servicesto take their place in the worldaround us.
And talking of the world aroundus, I am sure like me you will beproud that Capability Scotland isbeing represented in what’s sureto be one of the biggest eventsof the year. We are delightedthat some of our volunteers,pupils and customers have beenchosen as both Olympic andParalympic torchbearers.
I do hope you enjoy this issueof Choice. Thanks again for all the hard work which is reflectedthroughout its pages and havea great summer – whatever yourplans are.
Dana O’Dwyer
Chief Executive
Managers meetto discuss SDS
As reportedin the Winter/Spring issueof Choice,the ScottishGovernment’sSelf-DirectedSupport(Scotland) Billwill give localauthorities a duty to let people choose howtheir care needs are met. Instead of beingtold what support they will get and theservices they are allowed to use, people willbe given control over their own funding.
In April managers attended a meeting atCapability Scotland’s Head Office to discussthe opportunities and challenges presentedby Self Directed Support (SDS). It was attended by Wishaw Supported Livingcustomer, Brian White, his mum, Vida and
Service Manager, Carole Hill. Brian and Vidaspoke about their experiences of using SDSwhilst Carole gave a service’s perspectiveon the impact of SDS.
The meeting also heard from MoragDendy, Service Manager for Adults witha Disability with North Lanarkshire Council. She described a number of positive storiessimilar to Brian’s which had encouraged theCouncil to fully embrace SDS. An overview of the SDS legislation was also available from Craig Flunkert, who heads up the ScottishGovernment’s SDS Bill Team.
Read more at:capability-scotland.org.uk/choice
Meet Capability’storchbearing teamfor London 2012
Customers, volunteers and pupils fromCapability Scotland’s services around thecountry are gearing up to be part of one ofthe summer’s most talked about events–London 2012. Capability Scotland isdelighted that West Lane Gardens customer,Andrew Macintyre, and Disability EqualityTrainer, Bob Bennet, have been selected tobe Olympic torchbearers while Corsefordpupil, Steven Sweeney, ex shop managerturned volunteer, Fiona Mackie, and disabilitycampaigner, Mark Cooper, have been chosen as torchbearers for the Paralympics. Andrewsaid: “I feel very honoured to be part of thewhole experience.”
End of an era for CapabilityScotland’s Chairman
Ron Fox will officially standdown as Capability Scotland’sChairman at the Main Board ofTrustees’ June meeting. Ronhas been Chairman since 2002and will be succeeded by David Currie, whopreviously chaired NHS Western Isles. Threenew members have also been co-opted to theMain Board of Trustees. Sandy Cameron CBE,previously Executive Director of Social WorkResources for South Lanarkshire Council; JimElder-Woodward OBE, a leading disabilityactivist and former Senior Social Work Officer,and Chris Gilmour, a Director at public relationsconsultancy, Beattie Communications.
Healthy partnership
A partnership project which aims to give disabled patients a ‘voice’ when they use healthcare services, was launched by Capability
Scotland and Talking mats this spring.
The project, funded by NHSEducation for Scotland (NES),tackles the barriers oftenexperienced by people withcommunication support needswhen they are in hospital orusing other related healthcareservices.
The need for this work ishighlighted by the experiencesof Lanarkshire Houses resident,Dianne Clyde, who spoke toChoice about how isolated shefelt during a recent hospital stay.Dianne said: “Instead of talkingto me, hospital staff relied onmy Capability Scotland supportteam to explain my care andmedical needs.”
Dianne was one of a number ofdisabled people who shared theirexperiences at two involvementevents, organised as part of theNES project. The informationgathered at these events wasused to create an online resourcefor NHS staff to help themimprove the service they provideto people with communicationsupport needs.
The resource will be launchedthis summer and includes filmsof disabled people explainingthe communication barriers they face, and outlining the changesthat would make a differenceto them.
This year, Capability Scotlandand Dianne have also been involved in the Ryan HarperLegacy which provides practiseplacement opportunities forstudents in the Allied HealthProfessions. Dianne gave traineeNHS bioengineer, Colin Mair,from the West of ScotlandMobility and Rehabilitation Centre(Westmarc) the opportunity tospend time with her in her home. This helped him develop a betterunderstanding of the needsof the disabled people he’llbe working with throughouthis career.
Bioengineers prescribeand provide mobility aidsand equipment, includingwheelchairs, to disabledpeople every day. Many ofthe people they work withalso have communicationsupport needs which was whyColin’s placement with Diannewas so valuable.
Commenting on the placementDianne said: “I really enjoyed theexperience and would be morethan happy to do it again. Colinmade it clear that he wanted toimprove the service at Westmarcfor people with communicationsupport needs and that he wanted to learn and share hislearning with other people heworks with.
“All trainees should get theopportunity that Colin’s had. It would make a real differenceto the experience of disabledpeople going to a wheelchairservice, especially people withcommunication support needs.”
Read more at:capability-scotland.org.uk/choice
Focused on the future
Three years ago, Capability Scotlandpioneered a projectin partnership withEast Lothian Council,employing a Transition
Co-ordinator to improvepeople’s experienceof the move fromschool to the adultworld. Choice spoke toTransition Co-ordinator,Catherine Dempsey,to find out what’shappened in this time...
“Moving on from school to adultlife can be hugely challenging foryoung people and their families–even more so when a youngperson has additional supportneeds. Families described thisperiod to me as feeling likea ‘black hole’. The transitionproject works in partnership withyoung people, families, statutoryservices and the voluntary sectorto turn this around, improving systems and giving young peopleand families the tools to maketransition work for them.
“In partnership with EastLothian Council, CapabilityScotland has found differentways of working alongsideyoung people and their families.One way has been through TheFutures Fair; set up by CapabilityScotland in 2009, it’s now anannual fixture in East Lothian’scalendar. The fair brings togetheraround 60 organisations, fromcolleges, to advocacy, to supportinto work and more, helpingempower young people andfamilies to plan for their futurethemselves. Over the last threeyears 463 people have attendedthe fair, with 97% saying thatit was definitely worth coming.Councillor Ruth Currie told us:‘something like this has beenneeded for some time and Iwas delighted to be a part ofit.’ A parent added ‘by going toThe Futures Fair I felt I was no longer on my own battling to getthe best outcome for my son’sfuture’.
“In addition, bi-annualinformation sessions have been set up for parents and carers,helping them to find out the keyfacts they need to know abouttransition. These events bringtogether ‘experts’ from variousdisciplines including health,education and social work,alerting families to changes they may not have even realised wereon the horizon - such as changesto guardianship, benefits andwelfare rights.
“The Big Plan in East Lothianbrings together young peopleand their families and friendsto plan for what would makea good life in the future. Thisgroup approach to Person
Centred Planning has been a bigsuccess, with the young persontaking centre stage and gainingconfidence, contacts and ideasas a result. One participant evenrealised her ambition of goingto T in the Park thanks to theproject. As one parent said: ‘theBig Plan has opened my eyes.It has made me see what my daughter is good at, and howshe can use that inthe future.’
“Although moving on fromschool is not always easy, ourwork in East Lothian helpsyoung disabled people and their families to start thinking aboutthe possibilities, rather than thechallenges that the future canhold. We’ve been working on itfor 3 years - who knows whatthe next 3 years might bring!”
Bridging the gap
Capability Scotland is respondingto the needs of disabled youngadults by delivering services whichcan support them as they move intoadult life. Last year Choice reportedhow teenager, Allan Collins, hadsuccessfully moved into his ownflat. His support from HowwoodCommunity Living Service wascustom designed around his needs.
Meanwhile, in Stanmore’s TransitionBungalow in Lanark, three young people are currently going through the transition process. Louise Byrne toldChoice about her experience:
“I’m 22 years old and moved to Stanmore’s Transition Bungalow just over 4 years ago. I previously lived at Corsefordresidential school and was nervous about the move but both services supported me to cope with the transition.I am gradually becoming more independent. I’ve built up strong community ties in Lanark and the surrounding area andenjoy going to the local disco every Friday evening. I’m alsoa member of the Clydesdale Befrienders Group and attendedMotherwell College for 3 years. The Community Disability Teamworks closely with me and I attend regular rebound therapyand hydrotherapy sessions which I really enjoy. If I have anyproblems I can always reach any member of the Stanmoreteam who are only a phone call away.”
A right to speak
Campaign victory resultsin new AAC guidelines
Capability Scotlandwill notch up anothercampaigning victorythis summer as theScottish Governmentlaunches newguidelines on theprovision of Alternativeand AugmentativeCommunication(AAC) in Scotland.
‘A Right to Speak’, which waslaunched at Capability Scotland’sCorseford School this summer,is the result of over six yearsof campaigning by CapabilityScotland in partnership with theRoyal College for Speech andLanguage Therapists (RCSLT) and AAC in Practice in Scotland.The Scottish Government hasalso announced £4million fundingto support the implementationof the guidelines.
The need for the AACcampaign became apparent back in 2006 when evidencefrom disabled people,professionals and organisationsproviding AAC highlighted thatthe supply of AAC serviceswas falling drastically shortof demand. Only 400 of apotentially 2,500 recipients werereceiving AAC services andprovision was a postcode, age,advocacy and disability lottery.
Since then Capability Scotlandand the partner organisationshave been campaigningtirelessly to ensure equal accessto high quality AAC right acrossthe country. The success of thecampaign means that disabledScots, including many who useCapability Scotland services, willhave access to the equipmentthey need to learn and develop,socialise and have choice andcontrol of their lives.
Welcoming ‘A Right to Speak’,Capability Scotland’s LeadService Manager – Allied Health,Hilary Cartwright, said: “Thepublication of these guidelinesis a real celebratory momentfor Capability Scotland andour partner organisations.It is the culmination of yearsof hard work and commitmentby everyone involved andheralds significant change andimprovement in Scotland’sAAC provision for adultsand children.”
Kim Hartley, RCSLT ScotlandOfficer said: “We have beenworking very hard over the lastsix years to get to this importantlandmark in our campaign forimproved AAC services. Thenew guidance and funding willbe life-changing for so manypeople with communicationdisabilities in Scotland.”
Definition of AAC
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) is the termused to describe systems or aids used to support communication.These can be low-tech or high-tech and include picture boards,talking machines, specialised communication programmes andeven sign languages.
It’s goodto talk
Many people withcommunication supportneeds use AAC tohelp them join inwith everyday life.For two pupils fromCapability Scotland’sCorseford School,Lisa (11) & Tiegan (10),AAC meant it waspossible to play a gameof musical statues atbreak time. CorsefordSchool therapist,MargitaKurocovaexplained: “Thechildren in seniorprimary were in thehall during a break. Tiegan was listening to music on herVantage communication aid. I noticed she kept stopping themusic every time Lisa was dancing. When I asked what washappening, they said they were playing musical statues. Therest of the class all joined in smiling. The best thing about itwas it was totally spontaneous play – made possible bytheir communication aids.”
Meanwhile at Capability Scotland’s Upper Springlandresidential service in Perth, AAC is used every day tosupport and encourage people to socialise, join in withactivities and take greater control over their own care. AACis used to support interactive customer led reviews and thedevelopment of personal support plans, for example. Byproviding the necessary tools and using a mix of supportsystems such as talking mats, simple choice boards andhigh tech communication aids, individuals are encouraged,empowered and supported to take control and makeinformed life choices.
Read more at:capability-scotland.org.uk/choice
Spotlight onYour Views
Since joining Capability Scotland as Chief Executive, DanaO’Dwyer has encouraged staff, volunteers and customers to sharetheir views about the organisation. Many of you have responded,giving the organisation’s Executive Management Board andTrustees a unique and honest insight into the organisation.Here are some of the areas you’ve highlighted:
Service Development
You recognise that preparingfor Self Directed Support is apriority for Capability Scotland.This includes making sure ourservices are flexible, personcentredand good value for money. As one respondentput it; ‘we need to fit aroundcustomers, rather than themfitting round us.’
The current focus onindividuals with complex andintense needs was queried bysome of you, who wonderedif we ought to be reachinga wider range of people.By clearly identifying whatwe do well, and developingthese areas, you believe wecan deliver a broader rangeof services to meet people’sneeds at all stages of life.
Communication
More joined-up workingbetween campaigning,marketing and service deliverywas another suggestedimprovement. You thinkensuring these areascomplement each other willmean we can be more proactivein raising awareness of the goodwork that’s going on. It will alsomaximise the marketing potentialof our website, social media sitesand shops.
Campaigning
Continuing to raise expectationsof what disabled people canachieve - and advocating ontheir behalf - was highlighted asan important part of what wedo. One volunteer noted that
Capability Scotland should ‘keepup the campaign fight’. Andanother mentioned the need to,‘focus on promoting the thingsdisabled people can do, ratherthan the things they can’t.’
Modernising our Services
You highlighted that weshould share good practiceand work together so thatwhen young people leave ourtransition services they canstill be supported by Capability Scotland. Others recognisedthat we ‘need to change the way in which we operate anddeliver services, particularlywith Self Directed Support’.You also believe that importantresources, such as buildings,should be kept in goodcondition.
Management andOrganisational Culture
You’re keen for CapabilityScotland to encourage customers and staff to becomemore involved in strategicdecisions. You also want morefeedback on the difference yourcontribution makes.
Your feedback is already making a difference to the waythe organisation is movingforward, as you’ll see when weissue the new strategic plan ina special promotional brochureafter the summer.
There’s still time to contributeyour ideas.
E-mail ,submit them to the Extranet orsend them to Head Office with‘Ideas’ clearly marked onthe envelope.
First person
The extranet went live at the start of the year and sincethen Capability Scotland’s Digital Media Co-ordinator,Samantha Hammell, has been busy touring the services training staff and customers to use the technology.
One of the training sessions was held at the NewTrinity Service where customers were eager to getinvolved. For many, using the extranet meant settingup their own e-mail address for the first time. OneNew Trinity customer, Anne Dickson toldChoice what the experience meant for her.