Publications
There have been several publications since our last update that can help you in your work locally in developing or delivering services that help build capacity and resilience:


Chief Social Worker for Adults Annual Report: From strength to strength
This report considers strengths based practices in relation to achieving better lives for people. The report includes a look at community relationship building and Local Area Coordination in Thurrock as part of the Stronger Together programme. Download the full report here.

 

Newsletters
The latest newsletter from the Citizen Network is available here. The Citizen Network is an international movement to achieve citizenship for all and the newsletter includes information about inclusion, self-directed support and a webinar training series about citizen-centred leadership.

IIDL exchange
Planning continues for the 2018 International Initiative for Disability Leadership exchange. As part of this event the Network is hosting an exchange ​with Inclusive Neighbourhoods and ​Thurrock between 28^th and 29^th May...we already have international visitors signed up to our exchange from New Zealand, Australia and Canada, as well as representatives from the Isle of Wight, Swansea and Thurrock Local Area Coordination teams.

The event will focus on the impact and contribution to long term reform of Local Area Coordination, highlighting the experience in Thurrock and other areas.
 
You can sign up for the exchange and find out more here.

What’s happening with pre-payment cards and what’s the latest on direct payment services across the country?
 
These are just some of the questions TLAP will be addressing at their new self-directed support forum which will be launched in Derby in a few weeks’ time.
 
Speakers will include Glen Garrod, ADASS President, Martin Walker, TLAP and John Waters, In Control 
 
This free national event is open to commissioners, providers, practitioners, leaders and people with lived-experience.
 
This should be a lively event with table discussions and a show of good practice.
 
Book your place soon via TLAP’s website
https://www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/Events/Self-Directed-Forum-18-04-24/

Community Circles held an introductory webinar on 11th April about building a community of support.

The webinar includes information about how the Circles work, a range of examples, and details about their free Do It Yourself Material toolkit. The webinar also explains about the different kinds of partnerships Community Circles are developing, as well as their membership package. 

You can hear the webinar here and download the free toolkit here.

 

#socialcarefuture was created last year as a space for a wide range of people and voices to debate and take action for a positive future.

In Control is part of the informal group supporting #socialcarefuture and is hosting a blog series. Local Area Coordination has been mentioned several times in the blogs. You can read all of the blogs here. Some of the most recent and relevant blogs are listed below:

• Moving beyond the piloting - it's time to grow social care innovations by Ewan King
  https://socialcarefuture.blog/2018/04/04/moving-beyond-the-piloting-its-time-to-grow-social-care-innovations/
• Social care future - can the future be personal and human? by Sam Clark
  https://socialcarefuture.blog/2018/03/15/social-care-future-can-the-future-be-personal-and-human/
• Resources and resourcefulness by Julie Stansfield
  http://www.in-control.org.uk/what-we-do/people-families/social-care-future/resources-and-resourcefulness.aspx