Adult Social Care Practice Framework

In Coventry we expect practitioners to work in a strengths-based way. Strengths-based practice positions the practitioner as supporting people to find their own solutions to their difficulties and the capacity to identify and pursue their own goals. Practitioners may refer to themselves as strengths-based or as practising restoratively, or relationally, or systemically. Practitioners in mental health may refer to ‘recovery’, others may refer to an ‘asset-based’ approach or ‘resilience’. All these ways of working are fundamentally focused on encouraging practitioners to ‘work with people, rather than working for them, or doing to them. The role of our practitioners is therefore to work with people to develop different ways of thinking about their experiences and difficulties, and support change by:

• understanding their lived experience as a whole, providing narrative and context around difficulties
• identifying and building on individual strengths and assets
• building and modelling a trusting and effective positive relationship, based on honesty and openness
• supporting social networks and connections between the person, their family and the wider community, supporting resilience through relationship

To work in a strength-based way our practitioners need to:

• Be professionally curious, hopeful, sensitive, and reflective as well as being tenacious in improving life outcomes for adults, carers and families
• Approach adults and their carers with empathy, compassion and creativity working collaboratively using strengths, assets and relationships for positive change
• To acknowledge where barriers might exist and work closely with families and others to help overcome these
• Working with difference, recognising social and personal identity and the effect on an individual's privilege and power in society
• Have a good local knowledge of community assets and see the virtue in new technologies and new ways of working
• Use a systemic approach to work purposefully, openly and compassionately with the whole family
• Use reflection, critical thinking and analysis to evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge and evidence to create meaningful assessments and support plans
• Build skilful and influential working relationships with other professionals and agencies
• Draw on a range of practice approaches, used proportionately and regularly reviewed
• Working with risk in a positive and creative way
• Make good and emotionally intelligent use of supervision and support of peers
• Have high quality planning and decision-making skills
• Understand their legal and statutory responsibilities and the policy frameworks in Adult Social Care
• Demonstrate understanding and skill in working as a member of a team and organisation
• Take appropriate responsibility for their conduct, practice, learning and development
• Promote social justice and human rights

The role of a social worker, occupational therapist or social care professional is an incredibly difficult one, requiring a range of skills and a firm knowledge base. For us, ‘Adults and their Carers at the Heart of Practice’ is about ensuring our staff:

• Work purposefully with a clear and constant focus on the person their needs, outcomes, experiences, the context and circumstances of their lives
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with families and other professionals
• Make use of tools and resources to support communication and engagement with people
• Provide evidence informed interventions with adults and their carers that improve lives
• Have the skills and knowledge to complete high quality and effective assessments and plans
• Have strong report writing skills and good analytic and communication skills
• Have an ability to critically reflect and make good use of supervision.