There is widespread agreement that care and support services must change radically if they are to meet the rights and needs of the rapidly growing number of people who require them.
For the first time, Supporting people explores with service users, practitioners, carers and managers what person-centred support means to them, what barriers stand in its way and how these can be overcome. It provides a unique roadmap for the future, offering theoretical insights, practical guidance and highlighting the importance of a participatory approach.
Based on the largest independent UK study of person-centred support and written by an experienced team that includes service users, practitioners and researchers, it demonstrates how change can be made now, and what strategic changes will be needed for person-centred support to have a sustainable future.
Peter Beresford OBE is Visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia and Co-Chair of Shaping Our Lives, the user led organisation and network as a long term user of mental health services. He has a longstanding track record of work in the field of participation and citizen involvement as academic, service user, researcher, educator and activist.
Karen Postle is a registered social worker and retired social work lecturer. She works as a practice educator for qualifying social workers and as an assessor/supervisor for newly qualified social workers. Karen has also published widely in adult social care.