“ONLY CONNECT”

12 October 2009

Su Sayer OBEUnited Response

What I Will Cover

• A snapshot of Social Care• A snapshot of United Response• What are the challenges ahead?• How can we help meet the social

challenge?• How can we help meet the economic

challenge?• Over to you

A Snapshot Of Social Care

The Social Care Sector

• People with disabilities and also older people use social care

• In 2007/8 2 million adults used care services commissioned by LAs

• As at March 2008 1 million adults were supported at home

• The adult social care workforce is approx. 1.5 million

The Social Care Sector And You

• In 2006, analyst Ovum estimated that £10.6bn was spent on adult social care annually in England alone

• Less than a fraction of one per cent was invested in technology

• But pressures on budgets and an increasing drive for efficiency may change this

• There is an opportunity for technology to play a key role in changing social care –and lives – for the better

A Snapshot Of United Response

Who We Are And What We Do

• We support people with a learning disability, physical disability or a mental health need across England and Wales

• We provide everything from 24 hour support to a few hours a week

• 40% of the people we support do not speak

• £60m budget; over 2000 staff

The United Response Approach

• Build support around each individual

• Communication is key

• Rapidly increasing role for technology

• www.everyvotecounts.org.uk/

• www.making-money-easier.info/

What People Want

What Does The Government Want?

• Excellent value for money

• More for less

• A better and more personalised service

• More independence for individuals

What Are The Challenges Ahead?

The Social Challenge

• Ironically, greater independence can lead to greater isolation in some cases

• People are more likely to live alone, without daily contact with staff or their peers

• How do we make it easier for people with disabilities or who are elderly, to live full lives, be part of their local community, and retain their independence?

The Economic Challenge

• The number of people with disabilities is rising due to improved health/social care

• The current economic situation means that significant cuts are expected in social care spending

• How do we resolve this without going backwards?

How Can We Help Meet The Social Challenge?

The Internet And Social Media

• Technology has a good track record• The internet can be a tool for greater

social engagement• New opportunities• Multimedia – accessible to people with

learning disabilities, visual or hearing impairments

• Great for peer to peer support

But…

• More needs to be done to increase accessibility

• Too many websites loaded with dense language, jargon, small text or complex navigation

• Far too few websites offer easy text, video or audio options

Every Vote Counts – Case Study

Hydro-pool Mega bowl Harlequins stadium

Twickenham stadium Rotunda Cedars health club

Leisure and sports you can try in and around Richmond

About Me And My Life

Back...

Address: Harlequins Rugby

Twickenham Stoop StadiumLanghorn Drive

TwickenhamMiddx

TW2 7SX

Tel;0208 4106000Fax:0208 4106001

Overall Review:•Great place to watch live sport•Great atmosphere•Food and drink•Meet other people•Lots of connections with the community , associations , schools and colleges across London•Good access

•Limited disabled parking , arrive early

How Can We Help Meet The Economic Challenge?

What Are The Problems?

• Significant cuts expected in public sector spending

• Social care may be particularly hit – up to 10% in 3 years?– Mild and moderate needs worst affected?– Fewer or no hours for some people?

Connecting Through Technology

• Face to face support important but a real role for technology

• Telecare

• Telesupport

Sharon – Case Study

• Sharon has learning disabilities, lives independently

• Needs small amount of support to do shopping and manage bills

• Telesupport means more time to be supported in the community

• Peer to peer support• “Telesupport is brilliant, it’s really helped

me.”

Virtual Visiting – The Next Step

• Care homes

• Older people

• Hospitals

• Neonatal units

• Huge potential benefits to health, independence, well-being, efficiency

How Do We Make It Happen?

• Use your budget to make things happen

• With a little imagination you can transform people’s lives

Over To You

“Enthusiasm finds the opportunities. Energy makes the most of them.”

Henry S Huskins

Thank You

Email: su.sayer@unitedresponse.org.uk