Choice, Control and Flexibility
What do we mean by choice, control and flexibility?
Enabling people to exercise choice control and flexibility over the services they access, and when and where, has been at the heart of national policy for several years. It was embedded in the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 and was a central theme within the Independent Review of Adult Social Care (and subsequent consultation).
Over the course of our previous Strategic Plans, Renfrewshire HSCP has supported increasing numbers of people to have control over their budget. We recognise, though, that we have further to go in improving the choice and flexibility available to people locally.
As we develop our services we will ensure that the support provided by the HSCP and in communities broadens the choice available for people to meet changing demand. Support will be built around individuals' needs and where appropriate, provide options which move beyond existing service models.
"A person-centred approach to social care support must be premised on ensuring citizens are able to fully exercise autonomy and choice in the supports available to them" - Independent Review of Adult Social Care
The outcome we want to achieve:
People access the right care at the right time and place and are empowered to shape their support at every stage of life.
Key Challenges
Maximising opportunities for people to share their lived experience.
Centre-based services remain highly valued however they do not meet the changing demands and choices of many people supported by the HSCP - this requires us to consider how to develop care to provide greater flexibility and choice.
Shaping services to enable greater choice, control and flexibility which reflects the broad range of needs and experiences of people who use services and unpaid carers can bring uncertainty and requires ongoing engagement and support for people.
The transition between services for examples between Children's Services and Adult Services, and transitions to CAMHS can be difficult for young people and their families.
Increasing digital participation and inclusion and ensuring support is accessible for all, whilst ensuring this does not inadvertently exclude people.
Developing person-centred employability approaches and supporting people into employment.
Strategic Objectives
Reference
Empowered 1 (new activity)
Description
Recover and develop day opportunities and explore wider flexible community-based models which, where appropriate for each person, provide additional choice beyond existing services and support innovative use of our buildings.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 2
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 4
- Outcome 6
- Outcome 9
Reference
Empowered 2 (continuing activity)
Description
Develop the HSCP's approaches and mechanisms for supporting and enabling people with lived experience to contribute to the improvement of existing services and development of new forms of support, including ensuring 'The Promise' commitments are embedded for young people with lived experience.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 4
Reference
Empowered 3 (new activity)
Description
Work with Renfrewshire Council to improve the experience of young people with autism or with a learning disability making the transition to adult services through review of existing pathways and information available for individuals and their families to exercise choice and control. These pathways will meet the specific educational, employment and housing needs of each individual.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 4
- Outcome 5
- Outcome 6
Reference
Empowered 4 (new activity)
Description
Deliver a Renfrewshire autism action plan to improve opportunities and outcomes for people with autism, with an initial focus on practical community-based support around life skills, reducing social isolation, benefits, housing and employment.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 4
- Outcome 5
- Outcome 6
Reference
Empowered 5 (continuing activity)
Description
Continue to prioritise equalities and human rights to ensure our services are inclusive and provide equality of access to information, support and involvement. We will aim for our services are fully accessible to people with a physical disability or sensory impairment by engaging and communicating in the most appropriate and effective way. This will include refreshing and building on our BSL (British Sign Language) action plan.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 4
- Outcome 5
Reference
Empowered 6 (new activity)
Description
As part of mainstreaming equalities, we will develop an LGBTQ+ charter, continue to co-fund the IN-Ren Network Officer post hosted by our partner Engage, and deliver training for our staff.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 4
- Outcome 5
Reference
Empowered 7 (continuing activity)
Description
Anticipatory Care Planning (ACP) is a priority. We will work with staff groups across all sectors to promote planning conversations that can be recorded in a shareable format via clinical portal, supported by staff attending training to have the competence and skill to have sensitive discussions with patients. This will also contribute to our objective to achieve year on year increases in our use of Anticipatory Care Plans that are reflective of people's individual wishes, inclusive of times where the individual does not wish to have this conversation. We will work with primary care governance groups to enhance the quality of Anticipatory Care Planning and increase the number of people with an eKIS (electronic key information summary).
National Outcomes
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 7
Reference
Empowered 8 (continuing activity)
Description
In Renfrewshire, palliative care is everybody's business. We will deliver Renfrewshire's updated Palliative Care and End of Life Care Strategy in partnership, with a particular focus on (i) improving access for all; (ii) improving pathways between services; and (iii) providing training and information across services to broaden understanding of generalist and specialist forms of palliative and end of life care. We will do this with the aim of meeting the emotional support needs of families and unpaid carers and supporting the wellbeing of staff.
National Outcomes
- Outcome 3
- Outcome 6
- Outcome 7
- Outcome 8
Empowered Futures: Some Examples
Autism Reference Group
We have been engaging with the autistic community in Renfrewshire to better understand their priorities and how we can work together to achieve the best outcomes for individuals. In our most recent 'in-person' event, the group worked together to develop a 'mind map' diagram as a basis for how we might work better together in future. We are encouraging additional work with the Autism Lived Experience Group to agree our strategy implementation plan.
Carers' Passport Scheme trial: feedback
"What a wonderful, life changing experience the Carers' Passport scheme trial has been for me. Due to my daughter's illness, I picked up a lot of weight being isolated at home and stress eating. I became unwell myself and my mental health was in a very bad state. I now really understand the positive effect exercise has on mental health and have found that elusive fitness bug that I never understood before. The potential for healing is quite amazing."
Next page:
Sustainable Futures
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