Leads: Professor Robin Miller, Ms Sharanya Nama Mahesh (Social Care), Dr Ila Bharatan (Organisational Science)

Dates: April 2020 - March 2023

Background:

Local authorities in the West Midlands have been working in collaboration with other partners to move from an assessment and care management model to a Care Act 2014 complaint approach that embed strengths-based practice within adult social care practice. Each local authority has taken its own approach as to how it interprets strength-based practice and the strategies that are being used to support implementation. There are though some common models that are being used by a number of local authorities, including ‘three conversations’, ‘family group conferencing’, and ‘local area co-ordination’. Through the Principal Social Worker network and West Midlands ADASS there has been sharing of experiences and learning. Reviewing strengths-based practice has also been a key component within the Peer Challenge programme.

Policy and Practice Partners:

This project was instigated following discussion with West Midlands ADASS and the Regional Principal Social Worker and Occupational Therapy networks. It is overseen by a stakeholder group comprising of Directors of Social Services, Principal Social Workers and Lead Occupational Therapists.

Co-Funding Partners:

TBC.

Aims and Objectives:

There is a need within the region to learn from the different models and approaches taken by local authorities to embed strengths-based practice. This will enable local authorities to better understand how they can approach such transformation and increase the likelihood of sustainable implementation within their local context.

Methods:

This will be a mixed methods study involving a scoping evidence review, qualitative interviews of the multi-professional implementation leads within each local authority area, surveys of staff within local authorities, independent providers and the voluntary sector, and case studies of implementation examplars.

Main Results:

Awaited.

Conclusions:

Awaited.

Implications for Implementation:

The project will report emerging findings and implications regarding the implementation of strengths-based practices on an annual basis through reports, accessible films, and presenting at virtual networking events.