Changing services: changing lives - Workshop information

This page gives you more detail on each of the workshops that were run at the changing services: changing lives conference. Please click on the individual titles to download the presentation.

WK1:  CHANGE THE TYPE OF MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES YOU OFFER

Offering meaningful activities can be key to engaging with a client, before you are able to support them with longer-term issues. Activities can also help embed learning in literacy and numeracy skills. This session will look at how activities can be introduced across your service, with little or no funding. It will explore the type of activities that can be run and the impact that they have on the service and on the clients who access the service. Essentially this workshop will look at the importance of adopting a Places of Change approach, and how it can transform your service.

WK2:  CHANGE HOW YOU INCLUDE ALL OF YOUR CLIENTS

This workshop will showcase a good practice example of a centre that includes all of its clients within its programmes, including those who have been excluded from other services. They have established ways of working to motivate those who previously were disinterested in engaging with the project. It will look at the types of services they offer and which have been most effective at working with different types of clients. It will also explore the effect that this approach has had on the clients.

WK3:  CHANGE YOUR USE OF SPACE

The way that space is used has an affect on the service and on how clients feel. This workshop will be run by an organisation that works with homelessness services to change and get the best use of their space. It is aimed at those who are familiar with running or working in a homelessness service, but who are less experienced at planning and designing space. It will explore how space can be deinstitutionalized; a principal of the Places of Change programme. It will also look at how space can break down the barriers between staff and clients. Most of the changes are possible without significant funding and can have an immediate positive affect on the service.

WK4:  CHANGE YOUR STAFF CULTURE

Your staff are key to the success of your service as they are the main contact with your clients. It is important therefore that staff feel motivated and supported and want to remain with the organisation. Poor staff retention can have a negative impact on the clients as they are passed from one worker to another. This workshop will showcase a good practice example of an organisation that has changed its approach to staff management and has implemented the Places of Change approach across all of its sites. It will explore how this was achieved with very limited funding. It will also look at the impact it has had on staff motivation, the service and on the clients accessing the service.

WK5:  CHANGE YOUR APPROACH TO BE PERSON CENTRED

A person centred approach involves giving clients greater control, empowrring them to make their own choices and changes to their lives. It includes letting them manage their own budgets (personalisation). This workshop will explore the principles of a person centred approach. It will look at how a homelessness service can introduce personalisation and the possible fears and challenges that may need to be overcome, and how they can be resolved, for this to be successful. It will look at how you need to work with your staff to support them with these changes and the ultimate impact that it will have on your service and on your clients.

WK6:  CHANGE HOW YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY SEES YOUR SERVICE

This workshop will showcase a good practice example of a service that has moved from a traditional daycentre to a Place of Change, that has a strong focus on community engagement. It will explore why they expanded the services they offer to include the wider community and the impact this has had on their relationship with the community. It will look at the type of services that you can offer and the changes that you need to make for these services to become successful. The workshop will also include a look at the impact that this has had on their clients.

WK7: Engage to Change: taster session for the new qualification

This workshop will showcase the new qualification for frontline workers in the sector. The session will run through an overview of the new qualification and the drivers behind it. You will also be able to hear how your organisation can get involved with it and how it fits in with accreditation. The workshop will also include a short taster session. The qualification has been designed to meet the learning requirements of frontline workers in the homelessness sector, to support them to secure better outcomes for the homeless people they work with.