Managing Support

Managing Support Issues: Promoting Positive Partnerships

This one day conference on Monday 5 March 2012 gave delegates an update on a number of guidance and support arrangements colleges can use to help manage support arrangements for students with complex needs.

The Scottish Government will be updating Partnership Matters guidance in the near future. Ideas on the update include: having a shortened, easy read version; making the format electronic; including diagrams; listing roles and responsibilities; including policy summaries such as Curriculum for Excellence, GIRFEC etc.

An overview and history of Self Directed Support was given by Jack Blaik, advisor to the Scottish Government. New legislation is likely later in 2012 which will extend personalisation and choice of services to adults entitled to support packages. Discussion centred around how this may impact on support arrangements for such learners.

Scottish Funding Council representatives gave an overview of the Additional Support for Learning Needs Allowance which sits in bursary funding; the rules associated with the use of this allowance and uptake rates across the college sector.

A brief summary of the PVG scheme was given.

Four workshops were on offer to delegates from: Perth College, Edinburgh's Telford College, Motherwell College, and Dundee College highlighting current partnerships in place for learning and for managing support for learners.

The support for learners with profound and complex needs project has produced agreement templates that colleges can use with external support staff. These documents can be downloaded from the project's support wiki.

Finally a panel of experts including representatives from the Scottish Government, Scotland's Colleges, Health and Social Work answered questions posed by participants. This session was filmed and can be viewed below:

Presentations from the event are available below:

Example packs from Dundee and Perth Colleges on their support arrangements are still available on request.

Workshop information from the event are available below:

Support Protocols wiki

This wiki will allow users to look at and comment upon documents currently used in local Colleges when engaging with outside support staff. It is hoped that the wiki will allow communication between colleagues, share good working practice and help shape thoughts on future development. View the working supportprotocols.

Direct Payments

Direct payments are made by councils to people receiving social care services, instead of the council providing the service directly.

PAMIS

PAMIS was established in 1992 to provide support for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), their family and paid carers.

Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability The Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability is a charity that is made up of 12 Partner Organisations who have joined together with funding from the Scottish Government to help people make the changes set out in "The same as you?"Their mission is to work in partnership with people with learning disabilities of all ages and family carers to challenge discrimination and to develop and share good practice. SCLD’s goal is an inclusive Scotland where everyone is valued and respected for who they are and what they contribute as equal citizens. The website offers a host of information on local area co-ordination teams, training and consultancy, employment, research, legislation, useful publications etc. SCLD News
National Autistic Society We are the leading UK charity for people with autism (including Asperger syndrome) and their families. We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people with autism. The NAS Scotland website includes everything from the UK website about autism and provides information about our services and activities in Scotland.
CHIP+ Children in the Highland's Information point - view further information.
The Downs Syndrome Association Free CD resource from The Downs Syndrome Association. This new Interactive Visual Timetable is to be used for adults in further education and at work. This simple software is ideal for sequencing any series of events, including what will happen during the working day. It may be especially useful for sequencing activities that are difficult to remember or to reinforce positive behaviour. Most commonly it is used as a visual reminder of tasks and activities. The programme comes with a set of ready made pictures covering workplace and college activities and jobs. This CD ROM also includes extra supporting documents for use at home, college or work.
Badaguish Outdoor Centre, Cairngorms Short Break Respite Care for people with learning and multiple disabilities.
VIAS Values Into Action Scotland promote rights, choice and control for people with learning disabilities.

Knowledge Network

This portal provides information, resources and education for health and social care staff supporting children and adults with learning difficulties in Scotland. View further information.

Better Info, Better Lives

New web link from SCLD (Scottish Consortium for Learning Disabilities) Accessible social care information for people with learning disabilities.

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Managing Support