Working with citizens and partners in Camden

By Stella Smith, Principal Social Worker, Adults, London Borough of Camden 

’Together we want to make Camden a better borough – a place where everyone has a chance to succeed, where nobody gets left behind, and where everybody has a voice’ Camden 2025

This is our Camden vision statement, at the heart of our Supporting People, Connecting Communities strategy and our Adult Social Care transformation. ‘What Matters’ - the Camden Approach to Adult Social Care has evolved from three conversations innovation to culture and practice across the whole of Adult Social Care (ASC). Our ambition is that eventually we won’t use or hear the words ‘strength based practice’ as this concept will become our culture, the way we are, the way we work together, not the way we think we should be.

So how are we doing this?

We’re working with our citizens and partners to understand what does a good life look like, how can we work together and how can we find out if we are making a difference? Communications, newsletters, briefings and telling stories and experiences are bringing to life how we are working differently. We recently celebrated the ‘Small Impact, Big Change’ campaign which includes stories from our Occupational Therapists in Camden This is inspiring us to create our own What Matters story wall.

Our What Matters team champions meet together every week and support their colleagues in day to day practice and with some of the trickier issues in getting our Mosaic recording balanced right. The shift from onerous, prescriptive recording to collaborative conversations, sharing progress and appreciating feedback is happening.

Walk the Mile is an initiative that teams up our practitioners with Age UK’s Community Connectors helping us to get to know local neighbourhoods. Our strength based learning and development programme includes What Matters Coaching Conversations training for all practitioners. Enablers such as the ASC Practice Guide, Assistive Technology, Family Group Conferencing and reviews of Direct Payments, Advocacy and Purchase Cards are all creating opportunities. Even our yellow What Matters laptop stickers, pens and posters are spreading the word. 

Exciting times and so much more to do!

NCASC 2019 >>>