Following launch of it's Co-production Charter earlier this year, Sandwell Adult Social Care have employed two co-production and commissioning support officers to provide capacity to truly involve people and offer support to others.
These officers, including Sue Eagle, who is active with the West Midlands Regional Co-production Advisory Group have been leading on a number of projects to develop co-production activity with people who have lived experience.
There has been a Direct Payments review involving recipients and professionals. This has led to new training currently being rolled out to over 100 social workers, and a new model of commissioned service.
An Adult Social Care Culture Strategy has been developed in response to an ombudsman complaint that care home staff were unable to correctly deliver culturally appropriate support to a resident.
Development, review and endorsement of the strategy brought together staff from different cultures, voluntary sector members, and residents.
Before switching to a digital process for Blue Badge applications, prospective applicants were invited to attend a demo (picture below) and to feed back usability tips. The tips will be shared to support people on their application.
The Carers Service, co-produced with 6 carers and over 200 people engaged in focus groups, surveys, and drop-ins launched on 1 September and is now continuing with ongoing involvement of the independent Carers Voices Group.
Meanwhile a carer inspired by this activity has set up a Whatsapp community group and which is holding sessions for carers.
A Carers focus group set up to understand experience of statutory process has led to improved strength-based practice for social workers and recognition of the need to promote available services
A bereaved carers focus group is now informing the service offer and has led to new service provision based on feedback received.
Engagement with parents of disabled children to understand transition and replacement care experiences is feeding into improvement of the transition process, commissioning intentions and service provision.
Sandwell has been exploring Bridgit, an online digital solution for unpaid carers that provide information, guidance, advice and support at times when standard services are not available.
Image above shows home page of Sandwell ‘Bridgit’ service for unpaid carers.
Focus groups held in May to demo the Bridgit app (picture above) provided the opportunity for hands-on testing by residents to feedback on usability. This feedback has led to Bridgit, the developer of one application being piloted, making changes to the app.