Recently in simon stevens Category

Outcomes 1 Needs 0 - but assessments are getting better

By Adam McCulloch on October 20, 2009 1:12 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgby Simon Stevens

Last week I had my first proper outcome-based "review" now that I have reached my "maximum rehab potential" since the start of my Guillain Barré syndrome in January. I have always been nervous of reviews and I imagaine social workers can also be nervous when they have to work with a well known, empowered and rather vocal service user. With 17 years' experience behind me, I feel that the balance of power has started to shift in my favour.

Continue reading Outcomes 1 Needs 0 - but assessments are getting better .

'Call crime against disabled people by its real name; don't tell me about safeguarding'

By Adam McCulloch on September 29, 2009 5:16 PM | 2 Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgby Simon Stevens

I have known about adult protection or "safeguarding adults" as it is often called, but now, sadly, I have had some first-hand experience as a service user and, frankly, "we are not amused".
This appears to be one area where professionals revert to old habits and any notion of service user involvement is lost as well as the concept of service users being treated with any kind of equality with the general public.
The language used to describe the "bad things" which happen to service users is very different from that used in regard to the general public.

Continue reading 'Call crime against disabled people by its real name; don't tell me about safeguarding'.

Adult care green paper: split adult services in two

By Adam McCulloch on August 9, 2009 12:07 AM | 3 Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgby Simon Stevens

The green paper lacks clarity for younger adults. To remedy
this, social care for the over-65s should be run separately

I was quite excited when the Department of Health invited me to one of the "big care debate" events in Birmingham, despite the lack of payment. I was, however, shocked when I arrived to find I was the only wheelchair user, yet alone speech-impaired person.
There were certainly few service users in the crowd of professionals and carers. I was also annoyed no lunch was provided after three hours' solid work without a break and there was no consideration of access issues. Although the contents of the meeting looked forward, its execution was a step backward.

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Why no disabled people in Big Brother?

By Adam McCulloch on June 29, 2009 2:18 PM | 8 Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgby Simon Stevens

Summer is upon us and so it's time for our annual dose of Big Brother. After blind Mikey last year I was looking forward to the producers upping the stakes for the latest series and perhaps putting young people with moderate cerebral palsy and a speech impairment in the house - and I am not hinting at myself. However, the key word in describing housemates this year has been "fit".

Continue reading Why no disabled people in Big Brother?.

No champers for me: physical disability, inclusion and functions

By Adam McCulloch on September 24, 2008 12:35 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgBy Simon Stevens

Attending glitzy awards ceremonies is a pleasure but for disabled people it is difficult to feel truly included

When people talk about independent living, it is assumed social inclusion is included; that if a disabled person works and lives in the community, they will be considered equal members of society.
The reality is very far from this:right now we have integration rather than proper inclusion. Integration is when a disabled person must compromise their access requirements in order to be accepted. This means the disabled person must learn many tricks. I would like to offer a specific example.

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Information is power in the personalisation age

By Adam McCulloch on July 16, 2008 10:47 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpgBy Simon Stevens

In the 1980s, the US was seen as a country where the customer was always right. I have the image of a large American in a restaurant ordering his fries, telling the waiter the precise temperature he expects them to arrive at the table at. But that level of confidence, or maybe arrogance, requires a high degree of information, where the customer ends up knowing more about the product than anyone who works for the company does.

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The freak show is back

By Adam McCulloch on July 1, 2008 4:05 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Simon Stevens for web.jpg

By Simon Stevens

Did you see you the programme last week on the man with two heads? Or the woman with three livers? No? If you did it would be very odd as I made them up but I would not be surprised if such programmes were being produced.

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Stress and drugs and rock n' roll

By Adam McCulloch on June 11, 2008 4:38 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Simon-Stephens.jpg

One by one the vices that relieved stress for the poor are being denied them. Fags, booze and now food are in the firing line, writes Simon Stevens


Continue reading Stress and drugs and rock n' roll.
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