Helping staff to imagine ‘new possibilities’ in community services
A new resource has been launched to help guide community care workers through the changing landscape and service delivery approaches in community services.
A new resource has been launched to help guide community care workers through the changing landscape and service delivery approaches in community services.
The Imagining Possibilities handbook offers staff and managers practical tools to rethink their practice and their roles in supporting people to live well in the community and stay in control of their lives.
Joyleen Thomas, manager of the Better Practice Project at Aged and Community Services SA & NT, said at a time of significant reform in aged and disability care, the resource would prove to be an invaluable tool for discussion and learning in workplaces.
“In this changing landscape this handbook provides practical tools for anyone assisting people in the community to imagine possibilities for meaningful lives in the community, regardless of disability or frailty,” she said.
“We hope that the resources in this handbook will contribute to ensuring our practice moves further towards the vision and aspirations of the people receiving services today, reflecting also the support we would want ourselves in the future,” she said.
The handbook is based on an appreciative inquiry approach, which is focussed on enhancing the strengths and capabilities of clients and emphasises a reablement approach.
Imagining Possibilities was created by the Better Practice Project and written by Ronda Held and edited by Jane Sherwin.
At the launch of the handbook, the chief executive of COTA South Australia Jane Mussared said the resource contributes to the new narrative about ageing.
“This book is about the process of visualising potential, of picturing a way of living and then chasing down the ways to make it happen.”
Ms Thomas said the handbook will support community service workers to:
- Help people to remain “in the driver’s seat”
- Work at setting goals with people and celebrating their achievement
- Think about what it might take for services to no longer be needed.
Copies of the handbook are available from the ACS SA & NT website
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