Origins

From small acorns

This programme began with a dream that service users could actually get the support that they wanted to improve their lives.

Some time early in 2007 half a dozen service users working with a support worker, Melanie Vasquez on a small 20 unit project called City Homes in Mind began to decide what outcomes service users wanted. Other Outcome models were considered, especially the Star model. However it was felt that something with more defined achievements that service users could easily measure and celebrate would improve on this.

In essence they wanted clearly defined motivation to increase their knowledge and improve their skills to enable them to move forward in life. Stepping Forward as a concept was born.

With the assistance, support and guidance of City Homes in Mind Directors, the work progressed to an initial presentation of the concept at a provider forum, the SP Network. The majority of other providers at the meeting were impressed and wanted to be on board.

Design

A meeting was held in late 2007 with providers and service users and a design team consisting of provider managers from a range of client areas was set up to design the programme. Service users teams were set up to be critical friends of the design teams work.

Comments from the design team

Melanie Vásquez

“Hi, my name is Melanie Vasquez, and I have been developing Stepping Forward
with Service Users from
City Homes in Mind for a significant period of time.

It has gone through many changes
and has evolved into a program which can easily be used by a wide range of people, and help them on their journey to independence.”

“Consultation with Service Users, has meant that the program is entirely focused on them and their development needs. I am really proud to have had the opportunity to be part of the team that has developed a program which promotes support planning as a way to measure progress or stability, in the Service Users chosen way.”

Jenny Moran-Whitehead

“Hello, my name is Jenny
Jenny, and I work as a Service Improvement lead for Bradford District
Care Trust, Mental Health Supported Housing.”

“I am very proud to say that I am a member of the stepping forward design
team and feel privileged to have become involved with such an exciting and inspirational project.”

“In using stepping forward you will see what achievements you have already made in your life and by working through the steps you will be inspired to have hope for your future. I wish you well on your road to recovery.”

Implementation

An implementation review was held in November 2008. Two Meetings, focusing separately on provider and service user issues, took place.

Initial pilots took place in December and January 2008. Feedback and the findings were discussed at the training meetings held in early February 2008. All SP providers in Bradford were invited to the two sessions. They were over subscribed and additional sessions were held. More Bradford providers came on board as a result. At the time of writing we have approximately 40% of Bradford’s non elderly provision working with Stepping Forward.

Personalisation

A simple definition :

“Personalisation enables the individual alone, or in groups, to find the right solutions for them and to participate in the delivery of a service. From being a recipient of services, citizens can become actively involved in selecting and shaping the services they receive.”

Members of Bradford’s SP Provider Cath Network,
and its service users have worked closely together to develop an ‘outcomes model’ that they believe is a solution to current needs in Supported Housing. Stepping Forward is both ‘user focused’ and ‘solution focused’ and, provides measurable hard outcomes. This motivates Service Users to consider their aspirations, increase their knowledge and life
skill levels and encourages them to live more fulfilled independent lives. It also
simultaneously assists in reporting to CLG.

Puzzle

Puzzle + text

We are shifting the emphasis onto improving the overall lives and life chances of service users in a measurable way.

Local pilots and training workshops have generated interest and enthusiasm for the Stepping Forward programme and have encouraged many organisations to implement and embed the programme.

The SP Network, a not for profit association of providers and service users have designed Stepping Forward and it is available for all. The Model can be downloaded when you click here…..

The Model.

The service user is offered a choice of opportunity – see Opportunities for Life board-

Opportunities for life

The Opportunities For Life board includes all of the CLG Outcomes, and additionally Move On .

Each of the CLG outcomes and Move On modules have been broken down into skills and knowledge statements. These appear in three Steps on attractive, easy read sheets.

How does Stepping Forward work?

See detailed explanation when you click here…..

Badford District Care Trust

"Our thoughts on stepping forward are that we as a collective service stand at the turning point of change. We are excited and positive about this assessment tool for outcomes…because we believe we will see outcomes for the service user, which in turn will change the expectations for both them and the support workers. The range of opportunities should afford everyone to successfully move forward in their lives."

"We are the “champions” from Bradford District Care Trust, helping to formulate a Stepping Forward training package to deliver to all our staff in mental health supported housing. As managers we will then be reviewing Stepping Forward support plans regularly giving and receiving feedback on the process."

Jane Pauline Tracy

Jane, Pauline, Tracy from Bradford District Care Trust

Stepping Forward was design by the SP Providers Network, Voluntary, Public and Private Sector working together to promote succesful independent living for service users in Bradford.
Thanks to all who contributed.