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TOPAZ Social Work Community Interest Company www.topaz.uk.net Overview: A Social Work Practice Pilot • The Lambeth site is the only site based in London. • TOPAZ: Team Offering People Advice & Zest has been in operation since November 2009. • TOPAZ is an innovative, multi-disciplinary team consisting of three registered Social Workers, a Community Worker and an Occupational Therapist. TOPAZ Social Work Community Interest Company: launched in July 2012 • A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a limited company created for the use of people who want to conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and not purely for private advantage. TOPAZ – benefits • • • • • • • • • • Early intervention – will delay the deterioration of independence. Prevention - rather than treatment. Support to create resilient communities and reduce dependency on care services. A dedicated team to support ‘self-funders.’ Reaching out to our communities – to engage citizens Low level support – thereby reducing the overall spend on social care in the long term. A reduction in admissions to permanent, institutional care. Early intervention – to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. Specialist support to those with multiple diagnoses / needs. Promoting the Safeguarding Awareness campaign to self-funders and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups. Citizen’s needs Identified Needs of attendees TOPAZ - outcomes • • • • • • • Improved Health & Well Being Improved Quality of Life Making a Positive Contribution Increased Choice & Control Economic Well Being Maintaining Personal Dignity & Respect Freedom from Discrimination & Harassment Impact • A reduction in unnecessary visits to General Practitioners - via improved support in the community. • A proactive approach to care and support - to avoid crisis and use of secondary care services. • Promotion of social opportunities and engagement. • Prevention: invest to save! Choice and control • Promotion of independence and wellbeing. • Promotion of safety and access to relevant support services. • Improved understanding of local need through detailed data collection. • An improvement in citizen and carer satisfaction - due to an increased knowledge/support. TOPAZ endorses the Asset Based Approach • Asset based approaches are concerned with identifying the protective factors that support health and wellbeing. They offer the potential to enhance both the quality and longevity of life through focusing on the resources that promote the self-esteem and coping abilities of individuals and communities TOPAZ: Team of the Year 2011 • We won Team of the Year – Adult’s services (Social Work Awards) “The judges felt that this team showcased imaginative work and was extremely focused upon the service user impact. They liked the way the team had used a core social work service and implemented it in an original way and the outcomes and successes were very clearly defined.” The Co-operative Council • The objective of the co-operative council is to ensure that people are involved and have control of the services they use and the places in which they live by putting council resources in their hands. Summary • Creating resilient communities is essential. • Asset based approaches emphasise the need to redress the balance between meeting needs and nurturing the strengths and resources of people and communities. • Thank you.