The reports gave young people an opportunity to explain their experiences directly. Public sector partners have taken the findings on board and are using them to inform their work. This is an example of how our reserves can support work that matters to our community, even when a commissioned service does not fund it.
A wider voice for disabled people
Our involvement in the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel connects individual experiences with wider discussions about policy and services. Our regional work has also included reviewing maternity services to identify how the experiences of disabled women could be improved.
Partnership is central to this approach. Working with other Disabled People’s Organisations, equality panels and public bodies allows us to bring different perspectives together and reach decision makers beyond our own services.
Our aim is meaningful involvement: disabled people should help identify the issues, shape the response and judge whether it has made a difference. We will continue to strengthen the connection between what we learn through frontline work and what we raise with commissioners and policy makers.
Advocacy
Our advocacy and information services help disabled people navigate decisions about health, education and social care. We support people to understand their rights and options, communicate what matters to them and participate in decisions about their own lives.
Independent advocacy
During the year, 310 people received independent advocacy. This included Care Act Advocacy and support for parents with learning disabilities involved in child protection processes.
Advocates work alongside people at important and sometimes difficult points in their lives, including assessments, care planning, reviews and safeguarding. For parents with learning disabilities, advocacy can help them understand the process, explain their views and identify the support they need to take part.
Our role is guided by the person’s wishes and communication needs. We help people prepare for meetings, ask questions and challenge decisions where appropriate, while ensuring the individuals views remain central.
SEND information advice and support
Our SEND information, advice and support service supported 1,256 families. The service helps children, young people and parents understand the SEND system, consider their options and prepare for discussions about education and support.
We also recognise the importance of hearing directly from children and young people. Their preferences and experiences should shape the support offered to them, rather than being assumed by the adults around them.
What people told us
“Sometimes when you’re a parent navigating these challenges on your own and not knowing whether you’re doing the right thing or not, it helps to have someone who is friendly, supportive and knowledgeable to discuss your concerns with and obtain advice so you can move forward more confidently using the guidance to help you further. Thank you to Embrace for their support.”
Feedback from a family using SENDIASS
“It has been a pleasure working with Alex over the last year and he has worked hard when challenging the LA appropriately in order to bring about positive outcomes for the individuals that we support.”
Feedback from a partner service
Learning from individual experiences
Advocacy also helps us understand where systems create barriers. The issues people raise through our services inform our wider conversations about accessibility, communication and how services involve disabled people in decisions.
Action
We take practical steps to help disabled people access opportunities, develop skills and connect with their communities. Independence looks different for every person; our role is to support the choices and goals that matter to them.
Personal assistants and self directed support
Our PA Recruitment service supported the recruitment of 108 personal assistants. Finding the right PA can give a disabled person greater control over who supports them, how that support is delivered and how they spend their time.
Alongside recruitment, our work supports individual employers and personal assistants to understand their roles. PA Basics and Individual Employer Basics training help build the knowledge needed to make these arrangements work well.
Our work in Sheffield extends this approach through self-directed support and peer support for PA employers. Across both areas, the purpose is to make choice and control achievable in everyday life.
Employment and travel
We supported 37 people towards employment. Our employment work helps people explore their goals and develop the skills and confidence to pursue opportunities, recognising the barriers disabled people can face when looking for work.
Travel Training offers another route to independence. Learning to make a journey can open up access to education, employment, friendships and community activities. Support is built around the person and the journeys they want to make.