In control? The transformative potential of a leadership and change programme for social

work practice

Gillian MacIntyre gillian.macintyre@strath.ac.uk

Ailsa Stewart ailsa.e.stewart@strath.ac.uk

University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

Aims of the paper

• To provide an overview of personalisation in a Scottish context

• To provide a summary of the research and its key findings

• To consider lessons for future development and consider the extent to which the programme in question contributes to the leadership and change agenda

Introduction to personalisation

• What is personalisation?• Greater choice and control for individuals and

their families• Withdrawal of state responsibility for citizens –

passing control to individual, reduction in costs• Legislative context in Scotland: Direct Payments,

Self-directed support • The In-Control philosophy

Research aims methods• To evaluate the effectiveness of a leadership

programme in developing capacity amongst participants to bring about a transformation in social care

• To assess the impact of the programme on developing community assets and enabling disabled people to have more control over their lives

• Methods adopted: multi-method approach

Key findings

• Aims of the programme: dual focus– Development of knowledge and understanding– Focus on the development of leadership qualities

• Benefits of the programme: what worked well?• Opportunities for Networking• Impact– On individuals and their families– On staff and organisations

• Barriers and challenges

Conclusions: Does the programme develop leadership capacity?

• Evidence of participants making changes to their own lives or within their organisation

• The development of a culture of group learning and co-production

• The benefits of local networks of support • Remaining challenges and puzzles

• The development of citizen leaders?

Quotations

• Without the course I wouldn’t have had the confidence to say hang on its not just me who thinks this...this can be quite exciting and creative...

• ...It’s important to say this isn’t just my call and thats where the leadership course is particularly helpful. It gives you the confidence to make the changes...

• ...when I got back full of enthusiasm, the social worker got back in touch...and I had to say wait a minute thats not In Control, I had to challenge and say I cant accept that

References

• Hafford-Letchfield, T et al (2008) Leadership and management in social care, London: Sage

• MacIntyre and Stewart (2012) An evaluation of In Control Scotland Leadership and Change Programme, Glasgow: University of Strathclyde

• MacIntyre, G (2012) “Personalisation: what the research tells us” in Davies, M (ed) Social Work with Adults, London: Palgrave MacMillan

• Van Zwanenberg, Z (2010) Leadership in social care, Jessica Kingsley Publishing