A.E. Owen and M. Llewellyn
Journal of Care Services Management, vol. 5, 2011, p.65-69
In 2008 the Care Council for Wales commissioned an 18-month study to examine the care at home workforce and what was needed to equip it for future challenges. The research team made five key recommendations: 1) recognise the value of the care at home workforce; 2) increase the role of the workforce in needs assessment, care planning, coordination and review; 3) address the workforce implications of developing integrated services; 4) support the workforce in delivering outcome- and person-focused services; and 5) explore the implications of self-directed support for the workforce.
G. Bruce, G. Wistow and R. Kramer
Journal of Integrated Care, vol.19, Apr. 2011, p. 13-21
Connected Care is a model for involving communities in the design and delivery of integrated health and well-being services. The model was developed by Turning Point in response to research undertaken in 2004 into the experience of people with complex needs and was piloted in the Owton Ward of Hartlepool. This article provides an update on the Hartlepool pilot and re-visits themes explored in previous articles in the light of experience in the rest of the country, including barriers and gateways to change, legitimacy and representation, co-production of services, the care navigator role, and the diffusion of the model through partnerships between residents, community associations and formal services.
I. Madoc -Jones and K. Roscoe
Diversity in Health and Care, vol. 8, 2011, p. 9-17
Victims of domestic violence routinely report feeling confused and uncertain about how to protect themselves and complain that agencies do not take such abuse seriously enough. In this context, attempts have been made to provide domestic violence victims with access to independent advocacy. This article explores user perceptions of the services provided by an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to victims in one rural local authority area in the UK. Service users described being reluctant to report abuse but, having done so, finding the involvement of the IDVA invaluable in being able to provide independent advice, information and emotional support.
K. Baxter and C. Glendinning
Health and Social Care in the Community, vol. 19, 2011, p. 272-279
Government policies in England over recent years have aimed to increase the amount of choice and control that people using health and social care services can exercise. However, to ensure that these policy intentions are realised, information about the available options is essential. This paper is based on findings from a group of 50 disabled working age and older people who took part in a qualitative, longitudinal study exploring choice-making. Results showed that people need information about service availability before they reach they stage of making a choice. Disabled adults and older people with the gradual onset of support needs and no prior knowledge about services could be disadvantaged by lack of access to information at this pre-choice stage. Healthcare professionals were trusted sources of information, but direct payments advisers appeared less so.