Do what you say on your tin

Are you taking the risk? It is something we all do, but why do we confuse and complicate it by our lackadaisical use of language? We take risks in order to gain something for ourselves, and occasionally others. We weigh up the options available to us, and make a decision based on what we compute to be the most beneficial course of action. It is called positive risk-taking not because we are trying to find a ‘positive risk’ (whatever that is), but because we are taking the risk in order to achieve a positive outcome...

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Reflective Practice - Re-connecting with a lost art might ignite a revolution in training

Excerpt: Service users and carers are likely to benefit most when they are served by a workforce that is motivated and enthusiastic about its work, that recognizes and works to its strengths, that feels supported, and is able to reflect on practice as an on-going function of its own development. Within this picture training as a function has an important role to play, but can easily become a wasted resource if it is poorly focused and lacks clarity of purpose. Furthermore, service users and carers possess invaluable experiences and skills that can contribute to the development of the workforce. So, why does it so often feel like reflective practice and genuine involvement are lofty ideals belonging to a parallel universe?

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Service Users & Creative Genius

Many thanks to Emma Taylor at Accredited Online Colleges for sharing the following link to 20 creative geniuses who also experienced mental distress in their lives. With all the celebrity-obsessed nonsense that litters our lives these days it is rare to focus attention on examples of how many people have to cope with wide-ranging experiences of mental distress, yet still manage to make a huge impact on the lives of others...

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Working with Strengths

At a strategic level we are continually expanding the language, but essentially using new words and phrases to say the same thing... recovery, personalisation, self-directed support, person-centred planning, re-ablement/re-enablement. Nobody can seriously disagree with the premise that service users should be given a voice in order to say what they need and want, to reflect on how best to meet their wishes and aspirations, to exercise choice and feel supported in their decision-making. However, there is often a gap between what we are saying we are doing as services, and what service users are experiencing on the receiving end.

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Implementing good practice across an organization

The Practice Based Evidence consultancy has been engaged across 2010-11 by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) to design and deliver a programme of practice development to focus on good practice in working with risk. This post outlines the three phases of work we will be carrying out for them.

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