Adult Social Care
Practice Guide
Support for staff – Rainbow Network Support for staff – Rainbow Network Camden has been working towards a more inclusive environment, providing a support structure for LGBTQ+ staff and staff employed by other agencies. The Rainbow Network on Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) is a community for all se…
Types of discrimination Types of discrimination The Equality Act 2010 sets out characteristics that are protected against discrimination - known as the “protected characteristics”. In relation to the protected characteristics of sexual orientation and gender reassignment, there are four types of…
What you can do to support LGBTQ+ colleagues What you can do to support LGBTQ+ colleagues Part of supporting your LGBTQ+ colleagues is having an understanding that not everyone feels comfortable talking about their sexual orientation or gender identity. There are things you can do to ensure that…
Impact of hate crime Impact of hate crime Members of the LGBTQ+ communities can be reluctant to report hate crimes, reasons for this may include: LGBTQ+ victims perceive homophobia and transphobia as everyday occurrences and therefore not worth reporting. Mistrust of authority/police based on h…
Useful resources and organisations Useful resources and organisations Below are groups or organisations that provide advice or safe spaces to connect: Support for Camden staff Rainbow Camden on Viva Engage (previously Yammer) is a space for staff that self-define as LGBTQ+, and for allies, to ce…
Reporting Hate Crime Reporting Hate Crime There is no place for hate in Camden. No one should should experience isolation, segregation, marginalisation, harmful practices, intolerance, hate, the denial of rights, prejudice, violence, or terrorism. If you witness, or you are a victim of a homophob…
Identity Matters In December 2021 Camden signed its disability charter that would set out a plan of action about how the organisation would commit to protecting disabled staff, make work more inclusive and provide disabled people with the same opportunities as our non-disabled staff. This page see…
What is a disability? As outlined in the Equality Act 2010 you are disabled if you have a physical or mental condition that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ impact on your ability to do normal daily activities. Substantial - more than minor or trivial Long term - meaning 12 months or more or l…
The importance of using the right language It is important to ensure that we are using respectful and positive language that removes or reinforces barriers that could be experienced by our disabled staff. The list below provides several examples of preferred language to use when communicating ab…
Helpful resources Below is a list of resources that could be beneficial when educating and raising your awareness on disabilities. This list of resources is also available on essentials along with a wealth of other pieces of information regarding living and working with a disability. To read, lis…
Understanding the Social Model vs Medical Model of disability It is important that when discussing disabilities, the Social Model and the Medical Model of Disability are explored to increase are awareness and understanding. The medical and social models of disability have a long history of unders…
Social model vs medical model of disability continued Below is a YouTube video that explains in more detail what is meant by the social model vs medical model of disability.
Identity Matters In 2022- 2023 a series of webinars were designed and delivered in ASC with the theme Putting Identity at the Heart of Practice. The webinars were commissioned by SMT as an area of action in the ASC Equalities Plan (co-designed by SMT, reaching in /reaching out and our staff equali…
Identity Matters: Webinar 1 As part of the wider What Matters plan to further embed strengths-based practice across ASC, we hosted our first in a series of reflective webinars: Putting Identity at the Heart of practice. In this webinar, we explored the meaning of identity, which as you will appre…
This is the second in this series of reflective webinars on ‘ Putting Identity in the Heart of Practice. In this webinar, presented by our resident Artist, Trevor Appleson, we learnt how photography can be used as a third lens to explore and understand a resident's identity and the things that ma…
Identity Matters: Webinar 3 The third reflective webinar was led by Shabnam Ahmed who took us on a journey to help us understand why Identity Matters, and how the tool ‘The Wheel of Social Identity’ can be applied (regardless of your position) to better understand yourself, residents and staff. Y…
On 11 th January, the fourth reflective webinar took place, and was hosted by the award winning team around Kassiba*, CLDS and her advocate Lucy (Changing Our Lives). This was a hybrid event. Further information on Kassiba's story can be found here. Contributers on the day included: Andrew Reece:…
Identity Matters The Autism pages aim to enable practitioners to better empower autistic adults to identify their needs and communicate how autism impacts on their daily lives, so that their needs can be better addressed. The section provides lots of resources, information and support that practit…
** PLEASE NOTE the below is a very brief overview about autism. If you want to learn more about autism and the experiences of autistic people, there is a very wide variety of resources on the Camden Learning and Development website covering a range of topics including Care Act assessments, Sensor…
CAPABILITIES STATEMENT The British Association of Social Workers have published a Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults . They say: The foundational values of social work with autistic adults are recognising, appreciating, and promoting the values of neurodiversity. Within t…
Camden Autism Partnership Board is an equal partnership group made up of autistic people, family members, carers and friends and a range of service representatives from health, social care, police, and voluntary and community services. We are passionate about meeting together to improve the lives…
Coproducing an autism plan We want to make Camden a better borough for autistic people across all ages and for their families, friends, carers, and support networks. To achieve that, we are in the process of coproducing an autism plan. It is important that we hear from those who draw on services,…
Are you seeking guidance on how to empower and uplift autistic adults within your practice? Do you have lots of questions? If yes, we are here to provide guidance and share resources. We are holding a weekly one-on-one information and advice service for any practitioner working with autistic adul…
DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE Adult Autism Assessments in Camden are done by the ASD service, which is part of the Neuro-developmental Disorders (NDD) service. This service is provided by Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust. Residents can only be referred to the ASD service by their GP or a mental healt…
** PLEASE NOTE the below are some key websites. To learn more about autism and the experiences of autistic people, visit the Camden Council Learning and Development (L&D) Hub to access a range of topics including Care Act assessments, Sensory Needs, Criminal Justice and Mental Health. Isabel Lowe…
The Disability Job Hub provides person-centred employment support to disabled and neurodiverse Camden residents. Support offered includes: Reasonable adjustments, understanding what the individual needs and how to communicate that to an employer Advocating on behalf of the individual and empoweri…
Recording Autism on Mosaic In Adult Social Care, we are trying to improve our recording of people who are either diagnosed, self-identify, or suspected to be Autistic. We have introduced a new category to the Mosaic Conditions/Disabilities tab. There are now two different categories for recording…
What Matters to people Quick guidance on Trauma informed Practice. The What Matters section now includes information about trauma-informed practice. Trauma-informed practice is closely aligned with the strength-based approach of What Matters. This way of working recognises that a person’s experien…
What is Trauma-informed Practice? What is Trauma-informed Practice? “ Trauma-informed care is a strength-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma, that emphasizes physical, psychological and emotional safety of both providers and survivo…
Adverse Childhood Experiences Adverse Childhood Experiences “ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are highly stressful, and potentially traumatic, events or situations that occur during childhood and/or adolescence ”. Prioritising adversity and trauma-informed care for children and young peopl…
Camden and Islington Trauma-Informed Network What is a Trauma-Informed Network? A ‘Trauma-Informed Network’ has been described as ‘a group of interdisciplinary service professionals, community members, and organisations that support individuals receiving care’. By collaborating, these organisati…
A resource for trauma-informed practice Attached is a downloadable link to a Trauma & Psychologically Informed Framework , produced by the Camden and Islington Trauma-Informed Network. The Framework is a resource for empowering local initiatives for Trauma-informed practice. The contents of the f…
Useful resources Useful resources
Workforce support Workforce support Attached is a downloadable guide to Supporting Practitioner Wellbeing , produced by Research In Practice. The Supporting Practitioner Wellbeing guide aims to support practitioners to repair, maintain, grow and sustain their mental health and wellbeing. This wil…
Developing a Trauma Curious Mindset in ASC Developing a Trauma Curious Mindset in ASC - About the Project As part of our continuous learning, we invited fifteen people from different service areas connected to practice to be involved in a series of in-person learning sessions between June and Nov…
What Matters to people If you have an idea for a story, please contact the Prevention and Wellbeing Team Project Officers on [email protected] . Here you can find case studies and stories which demonstrate best practice in Adult Social Care.
Shared Lives Shared Lives schemes support adults with learning disabilities, mental health challanges, or other needs that make it harder for them to live on their own. The schemes match someone who needs care with an approved carer. The carer shares their family and community life, and gives car…
Michaela's Family Group Conferencing story “ My life has just changed. So I used to be really in control of my life. I was doing things like I was running. I was very much the lead of my family and the carer. Now I’ve become the one that’s cared for.” Michaela was used to living an independent li…
Camden Learning Disability Group take part in June’s London Open Garden’s Weekend The London Open Garden’s Weekend is an annual event held at the start of June. Hosted by the London Parks and Gardens Trust , it showcases gardens around London, opening them to the public. The garden at the Greenw…
Rebecca talks about her time as an OT in Camden Learning Disability Service As part of our blog series for Occupational Therapist Week, Rebecca from CLDS has shared her reflections on the role of OT’s in CLDS, and how they can improve the lives of the people they support. “I have been an OT work…
Unity Works trainees providing food parcels for Camden residents Trainees at Unity Works’ kitchen at the Greenwood Centre will support communities around Camden following a new batch of funding from Camden Giving . Unity Works supports people with a learning disability with employment skills and…
New members at the Camden Disability Job Hub The Camden Disability Job hub has welcomed two new members to the team. Camden welcomes Sarah, Learning Disability Job Hub Advisor, and Leigh, Learning Disability Work Ready Coach. Reports show that just 5.1% of people with a learning disability known…
Camden OT's Oversee the Installation of Wash/Dry Toilets in Camden Day Centres This week is Occupational Therapy week, an annual event created by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to celebrate the important work in the sector. As part of this week, we’re sharing some great news from wi…
Paul's story People with a learning disability are supported in a number of different ways by different internal services within the Council. Some are supported directly by the council, whilst others are supported by an external provider, with an oversight from the Council. Paul had been supporte…
Unpaid Carer supported by Camden Carer’s Mental Health team at time of need Across the UK, unpaid carers support their loved ones every single day. The ONS estimated that 5 million residents in England and Wales provided unpaid care in 2021. This number is likely to be much higher though, as many…
Mosaic and Recording What Matters to people
Mosaic and Recording Information on case recording in Camden All ASC practitioners have a responsibility to make high quality case records in line with the Care Act 2014. Good case recording is an integral part of the service we provide to adults and carers. Accurate case recording of up to date i…
Introduction to case recording You are your record Everyone including Heads of Service, Service Managers, Managers and Practitioners have a responsibility to understand and adhere to guidance relating to case recording. Everything you record on Mosaic could be subject to legal scrutiny. Good case…
Why record? Why record? In order to evidence policy, process and practice have been followed appropriately. To provide the rationale behind professional judgement, making it clear how a decision was made and being accountable for why a particular course of action was taken (or indeed not taken).…