Care Management Group (CMG) has joined with Surrey County Council and other care providers, to launch a new programme and tool, aimed at transforming care for people living with learning disabilities and other associated complex needs.
The collaboration, which was launched in Portcullis House with the support of Tom Brake MP, brought together CMG; Consensus; Choice Care Group; Dimensions; Pathway For Care; and Surrey County Council for the first time. It saw the launch of the pioneering Surrey Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Quality Experience Tool and the Surrey Coaches Programme.
The launch event featured speeches from Ray James, the National Director of Transforming Care and Viv Cooper, the CEO of the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, as well as a Q&A session with all speakers.
Lynsey Way, Head of the Positive Behaviour Support team at CMG, spoke jointly with Thomas Moore from Surrey County Council, to discuss the creation of the tool and coaches programme, highlighting the way the collaborative working group had worked closely together for the first time in the sector.
Introducing the PBS Support Quality Experience Tool, David Miland from Pathway for Care explained how the multi-component framework will be used to effectively understand and support individuals. Designed by PBS professionals, families and commissioners, it aims to be a values-led, data-based way of measuring an individual’s experience of PBS within a residential or supported living service.
Delegates learnt about how it will not only help providers to improve the quality of support provided, but will also be a living example of collaboration and community between skilled professionals and families. Surrey County Council were involved in its launch as part of its commitment to requesting every provider in the region to implement the tool with ongoing support and mentorship from the network.
Samantha Corbit from Dimensions, which provide care services for people with learning disabilities and autism, introduced guests to the Surrey PBS Coaches Programme, a new dedicated 8-month programme in advanced PBS training for service providers. Through the collaboration if its development, the Working Group hopes that the programme will develop a workforce that can deliver on the agenda of transforming care, whilst offering a comprehensive training opportunity that truly values the talents and skills of support staff across the country.
Established in 1996, CMG now provides over 140 services across England and South Wales to support people with learning disabilities, autism and behaviour that may challenge.
Peter Kinsey, Chief Executive of CMG, said:
“We have been delighted to join with Surrey County Council and other care providers to officially launch these very important tools and programmes which will essentially help us to provide an even greater level of care for individuals in need across Surrey and the surrounding areas.
“It has been brilliant to share best practice, expertise and skills with each of the organisations, which has led to the creation of these truly collaborative and high-quality resources. We look forward to seeing these practices and approaches, which we know first-hand work so well, embedded within other care organisations and transforming the culture of care in the sector.
“We were honoured to be joined by Tom Brake MP for the event, as well as many other distinguished guests and colleagues from across the sector. At CMG, we always endeavour to be at the forefront of national best practice in the industry, and we are delighted to have launched this initiative.”
