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PARADIGM PARTNERSHIPS
Paradigm's New Partnerships Project aims to show that people with learning difficulties and their families can be much more involved in the planning, arranging and providing of their own individual services than people think - that they can take the lead and take as much control as they want. Nicola Hilson, Consultant at Paradigm, writes about their work.
How it works
In each area, we work with up to 12 families who are keen to try a different approach and are eligible for funding for support services. Consultants from Paradigm, including a parent trainer and self advocate trainer, meet with these families over a series of sessions and teach them about Person Centred Planning, risk assessment, how to cost a service, different types of support arrangements and everything they need to know to take control of planning and arranging support services.
Hopes
Our hopes are that each family will be able to realise their ambitions and secure whatever is necessary for their son or daughter to get the support they need to pursue the life they want. Throughout the project we work with Social Services and other agencies to help them figure out what they need to do for things to be different. This includes working to develop new ideas, policies and procedures.
The New Partnerships project has been running for almost two years. We have learnt many things, particularly about practical support to the families. We are pleased at some of the things that are already happening differently. They include a group of families sharing resources for short breaks during college holidays and planning a summer holiday for the young people involved without their families.
Some of the changes are big and some are small but all are important. Often the feedback we get from families is that we have helped them face questions they were avoiding, get information and advice about different issues and begin to believe in a better future for their relatives.
Parents from one of the projects have said: 'If we had not been part of the Paradigm group and the support it has given, I don't think I would have known which way to turn. Thanks to you for all the help, encouragement and support that you have given to me over the last year.
It has really made a difference. You have been invaluable showing everyone that there is a future for our children.'
Paradigm
Paradigm is a consultancy agency that works across the UK in learning disability services. Our mission is to help services give people with learning difficulties the support and help they want and need to lead the lives that they want. With the help of Supporting People and other funding we help people with learning difficulties take control of their own lives and live in communities that include, respect and involve them.
An Overwhelming Honour
When Pat Bagot got the letter from the office of the Prime Minister intimating that she was being put forward for the award of the Order of the British Empire, if the Queen were so gracious as to be willing to accept it, Pat didn't believe it. 'I was in shock,' she confessed. 'I am incredibly honoured but I think the word is really overwhelmed.'
Pat Bagot, Branch Head of the Supporting People Unit at the Scottish Executive, had a colourful career before coming to Supporting People. Whether as a sociologist planner, arguing with Colonel Ghaddafi in Libya about the quality of proposed new housing in Tripoli, or crawling across the floor of the first rent-to-mortgage house in West Lothian to offer tea to Mrs Thatcher, Pat has been there, done that and brought home the T-shirt in housing experience.
First a child care officer in the late sixties and later leaving social work to conduct architectural research and housing development in Libya and Egypt, Pat brought her enormous background knowledge to bear on her work when she joined the Scottish Special Housing Association, now Communities Scotland. There, after working as a tenant participation liaison officer, Pat founded HomePoint and was instrumental in creating the National Standards for Housing Information and Advice, now in use across Scotland. Only then did she migrate to Community Care and on to her present work.
Pat Bagot
Working alongside Pat, however, has always been an adventure. Eleanor Clark, who worked closely with Pat through all of HomePoint's early years, commented, 'In setting up HomePoint Pat and I covered a great deal of territory around Scotland. But driving with Pat was not a matter of going from A to B in a straight line. With Pat as navigator we made full use of reverse gear as we toured places we hadn't planned along the way - all of them seeming to pass through Perth. But as with Pat's life, every place turned out to be an interesting one and we always reached our destination richer for the experience. I'm delighted to hear this particular journey will end up at Buckingham Palace. Pat has worked tirelessly to earn this honour.'
Bill Moore, her predecessor as head of Supporting People, couldn't agree more. 'Before coming to Supporting People branch,' Bill writes, 'Pat had a long and distinguished career working in the social housing field, most notably in Egypt and in Scottish Homes, now Communities Scotland.
I am delighted to hear that her important contribution in this area has been recognised at the highest level through the award of an OBE.'
Whether smuggling vital architectural plans across borders in a Persian rug or being held at gunpoint in Libya, Egypt and Ireland, Pat has remained unfailingly dedicated to her job. 'I've always believed housing was an important issue,' she says. 'I've never had a job I didn't enjoy. The introduction of Supporting People has done a lot for a lot of people, bringing services to people who didn't previously receive them. It's helped people live independent lives. I believe this honour reflects that.'