Press Release: Coventry social care workers blazing a national trail backed by Acua Limited

Social care workers in Coventry are blazing a national trail thanks to support from a training and development company and university close to home. 
Coventry City Council is working with Acua Limited – the corporate training arm of Coventry University – to help support its staff develop better skills to support people coming to adults social care to achieve their outcomes.
The training helps to ensure social care workers in the city have the necessary skills for seeking out and connecting people with the resources they need – known as social brokering skills.
The pilot programme was completed by development workers based at the Council’s Lamb Street service and outcome brokers at its Short Term Assessment and Response Team (START). 
It has proved such a success that it is now to be rolled out to other social care practitioners in Coventry and be adopted by other organisations across the country aiming to transform social care systems to offer a more personalised approach.
Cllr Jim O'Boyle, Coventry City Council's Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the partnership with Acua was formed after identifying a gap in the market.
"It is essential that our team has the right skills to help people that are eligible for support from social care and this partnership has proved successful," he said.
“The programme has helped change their perspective on assessment and support planning and how important it is to have this individualised approach for every person who comes through our door."
Cllr O'Boyle added: "The pilot programme has gone well and now other authorities are approaching us because they are keen to find out how the programme has gone, how it came about, and what the benefits were, which is testament to the impact it has had.”
Acua business coach Christina Palmer is delighted to work with Coventry City Council and, ultimately, helping to play a part improving services used by people across Coventry. 
She said: "The team really embraced the challenges put in front of them and it is no surprise other local authorities have now started to take notice and are investigating whether they could benefit from adopting similar programmes.” 
Media enquiries:

Pete Squires

Advent Communications

2 Edison Building

Electric Wharf

Sandy Lane

Coventry CV1 4JA

Tel: 024 7663 3636

http://www.advent-communications.co.uk