Portable support plans and self-assessment for vulnerable people

1. Portable support plans and self-assessment for vulnerable people BlueSalmonAn online resource for service user self-assessment and portable support planningGerard LemosPartner, Lemos&Crane

2. Difficulties with normal support planning • Time constraints: meetings are often brief and infrequent • Practical considerations: conversation dominated by benefits, drugs and alcohol • Support worker skills: often not trained in raising sensitive topics • Service user confidence: may be uncomfortable talking about private matters • Client-support worker dynamic: support planning sessions get in a rut and don’t move forward

3. Action plan Normal support planning Support worker Client Leads support planning Directs andcontrols Limited input

4. What is BlueSalmon? An online resource that enables people to describe for themselves how they want their lives to change and to find practical assistance in reaching their goals. • Supported by City Bridge Trust • Prototype development in association with Thames Reach

5. What is BlueSalmon? • Key features for clients: • Identifying goals: structured interactive modules on identity, relationships and family and friends • Getting support: powerful action planning tool helps user find assistance each step of the way • Key features for organisations: • Oversight: Support workers can see action plans if given permission • Organisational planning: Aggregate data is available for all users

6. Client Support worker Family directs and controls providesupport information about client’s goals Friends Partner BlueSalmonaction plan Support planning with BlueSalmon

7. Key features of BlueSalmon • An account for life • Safe and fully confidential • Easy-to-use and customizable interface • Accessible 24/7 • User can proceed at their own pace • Saves and recalls all previous work • Comprehensive ‘help’ facility

8. Structured interactive modules • Identity • Finding new interests and ambitions • Building confidence and self-esteem • Relationships • Developing loving partnerships • Finding somebody new • Family and friends • Becoming closer to people important to you • Making new friends

9. Action planning tool • Choose goals from the modules or add your own • Break goals down into their component steps • Assign support for each goal – from a support worker or somebody else • Share the action plan with: • Support worker • Partner, family members and friends • Other service users

10. Support worker oversight • Clients can complete the modules on their own or with their support worker’s help • Clients can give permission for their support worker to see their action plans online • Support workers can use the BlueSalmon action plan as the basis of the support planning meeting • What are the service user’s priorities? • What support does the service user need to reach their goals?

11. Client Client Client Client Organisational planning Unlimited number of BlueSalmon accounts Annual subscription Support organisation Accountsfor life Informs planningand policy Aggregate data Data is made anonymous

12. Demonstration of BlueSalmon

13. Questions and feedback