Page 29 - Unfair-To-Care-22-23-Flipbook

SECTION 5: THE IMPACT
ON LIVES
Every person deserves the opportunity to live a full and happy life. It is important that we truly appreciate how the workforce crisis impacts this being the
reality for many people who draw upon social care.
Here, our Positive Behaviour Specialist, Victoria Martin, talks about the importance of consistent and reliable support, and the true impact of recruitment gaps.
QUALITY SOCIAL CARE IS CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE
“WE EXIST TO HELP THE PEOPLE WE SUPPORT LIVE THE MOST MEANINGFUL, FULFILLING AND JOYOUS LIVES, AND TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO REALLY GET TO KNOW THEM.”
Living your best life means something different for everyone, so understanding what brings joy, what is important for self-fulfilment, and what makes someone feel secure
is a fundamental part of high-quality support.
In fact, we use ‘Best Lives Possible’ as the guiding principle when we are developing a care package for somebody. We exist for no other reason than to help the people we support live the most meaningful, fulfilling and joyous lives, and to do that, we have to really get to know them.
The process of building a relationship with the people we support, however, is not just a matter of courtesy and professionalism
– it is a necessity which can transform and even save lives.
Using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) we can help people to communicate and be understood, positively manage behaviours of concern, and ensure the people we support are safe and
well and those around them are able to meet their needs.
Reliable, consistent and trusted social care is absolutely crucial for people with learning disabilities. It isn’t enough to have somebody who is trained and available – it must be somebody who is liked, trusted and is able to understand.
I believe that the end of a strong supporting relationship can feel like a bereavement to many people who draw on social care. That’s why the recruitment crisis in social care strikes at the very basic human right to dignity, choice and respect, which should be fundamental for every person.”
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VICTORIA MARTIN