Jon joined us this year and is an experienced Learning Disability Nurse and PBS specialist. As part of his role he has been getting to know the individuals we support and their teams. This has enabled him to design and start delivering a nationally recognised certificate in Person Centred Active Support (PCAS). By spending time with the individuals he has been able to tailor to the unique people we support and the different learning preferences of the team. This relational approach has also enabled Jon to provide informed follow up and coaching as part of a blended programme of learning together.
Active Support has 4 Key elements:
- Every moment has potential: Every day opportunities to join in are just, if not more important, than the big and exciting trips out.
- Little and often: Slow quiet and gentle support through the day to help a person be more included and in control of their lives.
- Graded Assistance to ensure success: Giving the person the support they need in that moment that values the participation and spending time together not the just the outcome.
- Maximising Choice and control: through relationships, support and communication with trusted others.
Feedback from staff from the first few sessions has been great but everyone recognises it can not be done in a day! What went well?
“It was a very detailed and interactive lecture. We could tell that Jon was pretty knowledgeable on the subject”
“It was very insightful on what we can improve upon to the people we support. Giving them more opportunities to be able to enjoy their quality of life”
Making a difference: Why are we implementing this in our teams?
Being actively supported in doing things together builds skills and confidence, enabling people to be in more control over what they do in their own lives. Using Active Support consistently means that the person is more engaged, and this can reduce distress, increase a sense of autonomy and can improve people’s physical as well as emotional health.
Integrated approaches
The heart of Recovery Focused PBS is about improving someone’s sense of safety, choice, control and quality of life. Reducing unusual ways of communication (challenging behaviour) is a happy side effect of a person living a safe and healthy life.
This is a short video from Julie Beadle Brown on how PCAS and PBS work together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ53D-5N3R8
Investing in individuals
We want people to love supporting the Learning Disability and Autistic communities in Cornwall. That means we are committed to providing Nationally recognised qualifications wherever possible. Both The Active Support and Oliver McGowen Training with our teams are Nationally recognised certificates that team members can use to build their careers.