MP visits social work scheme

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski visited a Shropshire social work scheme and found out about the different ways it is providing support to meet people’s needs.

Daniel spent time at People2People in Shrewsbury on Friday 8 February 2013, talking to staff about the exciting project.  He also heard from people who are supported by the practice, about how it is helping them to be more active and independent.

Shropshire Council was one of just six councils across England that received funding from the Department of Health to pilot the national social work scheme.

People2People aims to help increase people’s independence and reduce their long-term reliance on social care by giving them more control over their support, with an emphasis on helping people to use personal budgets to choose services.

The not-for-profit community interest company, based at Radbrook Professional Centre, was set up by a group of social workers.  People2People’s board of directors includes people who use the service, staff, non-executive directors and representatives from Shropshire Council.

The pilot is providing social work services for older people, people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities and their carers in the Shrewsbury area.

Daniel said:

“People2People is an exciting and pioneering project.  We hope that the work taking place here will create major long term benefits across the UK, in terms of excellence in care, by showing what can be achieved.”

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, added:

“It was great to have Daniel come and see what People2People is all about.

“The scheme is one of the ways we are responding to what people have told us they want – support that is more suited to their individual needs, and which provides the opportunity for people to consider alternatives to traditional services and remain in their communities for longer.

“People2People is gaining attention and we are delighted to share how we are developing adult social care services in Shropshire.”

Further information

The scheme is testing whether a more streamlined service can be offered to customers, which also reduces bureaucracy, by:

• Working alongside other community organisations to help identify the right support within people’s own communities
• Providing support at the first stage of contact to increase people’s independence through rehabilitation and reablement services
• Giving social workers more control over decisions which support the choices made by those in their care
• Providing advice, support and access to new support technologies
• Developing peer support and advice networks
• Exploring new and alternative options with individuals when developing their support plans.