The Times article - Is it time to modernise daycare?

The Times - 4th June 2010

Is it time to modernise daycare?

“Yes”

Sally Burton, chief executive, Shaw Trust

The Big Society is the current catchphrase – the concept that we are all trying to envisage in real terms. But if we take our new coalition government at its word, that building a big society will “give people and communities more power over their lives” and that forthcoming government policy will encourage people to take an active role in the community, then why not start this premise with those people who are more disadvantaged than most, those who sit in day care?

Day care is still useful in some cases, providing an alternative to hospital or long term care but for many people in the UK, adult day care is the epitome of the problem.

By the very nature of the day care environment, individuals lack choice, and control over their lives; mealtimes are fixed, social interaction confined to those with similar challenges and a limited environment in which to develop, learn new skills and generally make the most of life. At Shaw Trust we see many people who pass from the education system into welfare without any bespoke interventions or support to make a positive difference. Being disabled and disadvantaged should not prevent individuals from playing an active – in fact proactive - role in society.

But for this to happen we need to rethink our whole approach to adult social care;

Social business uses vibrant and commercially focused employment to introduce vulnerable people to the world of work. This is one exciting alternative to delivering social care and at the same time, providing opportunities and choice for adults with a range of complex needs.

Shaw Trust believes that work is an important part of people’s lives – and that everyone has the right to work. It gives structure to the week and can be beneficial to health, well-being and confidence. Constructive and meaningful employment can help disabled and disadvantaged people to achieve their full potential, live more independent lives and become integrated into local communities.

Shaw Trust started working with London Borough of Bromley in 2004 to deliver alternatives to day care for adults with learning disabilities. The result was Bromley Social Business which offers employment in grounds maintenance, wood recycling and snack delivery.

Every member of the team has an individual action plan and in addition to work opportunities, accredited training is available including life skills, job coaching, literacy and numeracy. All of which is achieved with London Borough of Bromley’s existing budgets with costs reducing over an agreed timescale.

Whilst cost should not be an over-riding factor, it is worth considering given our current economic deficit and the need for local authorities to continue services on reduced budgets, that social businesses can not only be more cost-effective than day care but can with the right infrastructure become established places of employment which benefit the local economy even further.

Unlike day care, social enterprises are inclusive with disabled and non-disabled people working side by side. The structure isn’t prescriptive, individuals can elect

a mixture of work and training activities and a range of full-time and part-time options including paid employment, permitted work, work tasters, work experience and volunteering. This gives the maximum flexibility to someone facing multiple barriers to being part of the local community.

Day centres are not a solution for people who can and want to participate in society. Charities such as Shaw Trust, which are operating in the heart of a community and can respond at a local level - let’s say from the ground up – can help to tackle this social issue and bring disabled and disadvantaged people into the very the heart of Mr Cameron’s Big Society.

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