Background Issues

Stepping Forward is a bottom up response to National pressure for Outcomes from the
Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG). We asked Service Users and found that what they wanted could be mostly grouped under the CLG Outcome headings.

Work began on establishing why people need supported housing and we discovered that perhaps providers have been addressing problems rather than finding solutions. More emphasis is required on empowering service users to build their own capacity to live more independently.

Simplicity in the product was achieved at the development stage by a total commitment to a ‘user focused’ outcomes model being created by a small group of diverse providers and service users.

As we began developing the programme, we found resonance in many other National issues and initiatives:

Personalisation

Personalisation in SP services is a concept that has come to the fore since the development of Stepping Forward. However Stepping Forward was developed with service users in order to put service users in control. It matches the concept of personalisation in that each service user “will have choice and control over the shape of their support”

Drugs

There are complex social factors at play here but we must attempt to focus our attention more on the demand side of the issue. We must focus on the individual and the opportunities they need to achieve alternatives in life.

The essence of Stepping Forward is that people can use a simple multi choice life skills map to help them plan a successful journey and monitor their own
progress.

Social Inclusion

Yes we have moved out of institutions. But have the institutions moved out of us? ‘Care in the Community’ has, in some cases become ‘stuck in a supported housing scheme’.
Health Service Commissioning is now embracing social inclusion in its commissioning decisions. It is difficult to define social inclusion in a few words, but it certainly isn’t the isolation of client groups in special centres. That’s not to say that client groups should not gather in comfort zones but that we should also encourage the use of well defined, easy to use, access routes to the wider community. We must contribute to preparing society to include our service users and, more importantly, enable our service users to prepare themselves for inclusion in society. Some of the modules in Stepping Forward deal
specifically with the detail of these issues. See the ‘Enjoy and Achieve’
module.

Recovery

Stepping Forward aids Recovery by establishing hope. Regaining a life, or perhaps picking up some of the positive threads of a life before a ’breakdown’, is central to recovery. These ‘pieces’ can be picked up using the various modules of Stepping forward.

National Skills Agenda

Vulnerable adults can use Stepping Forward to assess their education and training needs. It will give Service Users the opportunity to assess where they are and empower them to develop their capacity further in areas of their choosing. This will enable them to improve their lives and move towards greater fulfilment and independence.
The acquisition of basic life skills is a prerequisite to moving into sustained independence. It is also a prerequisite to moving into voluntary or paid work. Several modules explore these issues. In particular See
Money Matters module.

Worklessness

There has been a drive to put ‘skills’ higher up on the National Agenda. There is momentum in initiatives from government and others to tackle what is being called ‘worklessness’ in social housing. The Stepping Forward development team, whilst aware of these agendas, have simply been ensuring that all opportunities for personal development are made available to service users. We believe that people should have equality of opportunity for life’s chances through the build up of skills and knowledge and that vulnerable adults should certainly not be left out of the opportunity to move into employment.

Outcomes

Stepping Forward can be used as the basis for any supported housing Outcomes Programme, from a small scheme to a large National Provider or Administering
Authority. It is designed as an assessment resource to assist in the motivation of service users but since they measure their own achievements, then we have small, hard outcomes independently measured by the customer. These outcomes may appear soft to some but they are essential to ensure that the ‘box ticking’, so called ‘hard’ outcomes, are sustainable for the individuals involved. They can be gathered systematically for statistical and benchmarking purposes. The whole system can be downloaded from this site and can be amended as required.
Development work is ongoing in excel to establish statistical gathering mechanisms for ourselves but it is felt that these would need to be customised for others.

Move on

There is a National issue with move on accommodation from hostels, more intensive care or psychiatric wards. It is all said to be ‘silting up’. People in supported housing find it difficult to move on into other housing.
Initiatives have been set up to specifically deal with the ‘Move on’ issue. Bradford has adopted the ‘MOPPS’ move on protocol. This requires information on the numbers of people in a position to ‘move on’.
So, how do we establish that number?
Do we ask them?
Stepping Forward has a module that assists people through this process. Service users are encouraged to explore all the processes and issues for themselves that ‘moving on’ may bring about. They go step by step through the process until they know that they are ready, willing and able to move on (Tenancy Ready).
See the module Move On

Closing Comments Mike

It has been my pleasure to co-ordinate this project with some very dedicated individuals.

Stepping Forward has benefited along the way by the team taking on board some serious criticism from outspoken service users and others, and we are still listening. So, if you have any comments about the content of Stepping Forward, or the presentation on this site then please contact us.

Mike Harney BSc MCIPD

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.

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