Module 5: Organisational Support

In this final module you will learn about the practical ways the organisation you work for can support you to implement Person Centred Active Support. 
This video talk outlines some of the ways your organisation can support you.
As you work through this module consider the following questions:  
  1. How can your organisation support you to put Person Centred Active Support into practice?
  2. Why is it necessary to have organisational support to implement Person Centred Active Support?
1.  Information and Training
To support you in developing your practice skills, you should have access to information and learning opportunities. 

These may include:
  • an introduction to Person Centred Active Support, such as this online course that illustrates what it looks like in practice
  • a full day interactive session to enable you to discuss Person Centred Active Support with an experienced trainer and discuss your ideas with other support workers
  • access to some of the further information and resources which are listed in your workbook and located in the resources section of this website.  
2.  Hands On Training
Hands on training in Person Centred Active Support is important. It will enable you to put many of the things you have seen or heard in this resource into practice. 

Hands on training should involve an experienced trainer: 
  • spending time alongside you as you work with the people you support
  • observing and providing feedback to help you develop and refine your skills
  • helping you to reflect on your own practice
  • providing new ideas and suggestions about activities that could be used with the people you support.

You can also use the Checklist for Observing Person Centred Active Support Practice to help you reflect on your own practice and the Reminders for Practice sheet. These are located in the Resources section.
Close up of the Hands On Training Checklist on a clipboard, being filled out by a supervisor during an observation session.
3.  Good Practice Leadership
You should expect to receive good practice leadership from your manager, supervisor, or a dedicated practice leader in your organisation. Their support will assist you to develop your practice skills. 

Practice Leadership has 5 Elements: 
  1. Regular supervision – where you can receive individual feedback and discuss ways to develop your practice further. 
  2. Team meetings – where you can share knowledge about the people you support, and share ideas about providing opportunities for them to be engaged. 
  3. Coaching and modelling good practice – where a practice leader works alongside you and gives you feedback about what you are doing well and areas for improvement. You have the opportunity to raise issues and discuss solutions to any difficulties. 
  4. Staff allocations - on every shift you and other support workers receive clear directions. The focus of the shift is the type of support you will provide to the people you are supporting. No day is ever just the ‘usual routine’.
  5. Focus on quality of life outcomes - everything in your workplace is focused on ensuring the best possible quality of life for the people you support.
Good Practice Leadership happens when managers become practice leaders, teaching, guiding and leading their staff in providing Person Centred Active Support to the people they serve. This means they spend most of their time with their staff, coaching them to provide good support. (Mansell & Beadle-Brown, 2004)

Activity 5

In this video, practice leaders talk about their role and demonstrate Practice Leadership in action. 
Watch the video and then do the following activities. Write in the downloadable workbook, located in the Resources section. 
  1. Describe how team meetings and individual supervision can help you develop your Person Centred Active Support practice.
  2. Why is Hands On Training important to learning the basics of Person Centred Active Support? 
  3. Finally, of the 5 Practice Leadership elements, list the ones that you saw taking place in the  video.
If you have any questions about this module, or would like some further guidance about the activities, you can send an enquiry using the Contact Form.

Summary Module 5

You will need the support of the organisation you work for to put Person Centred Active Support into practice. This support will help you develop and refine your skills through:
  • access to information and training - training sessions and resources
  • hands on training - ongoing observation, supervision and feedback
  • good practice leadership - the systems, guidance and commitment to support you to implement Person Centred Active Support practice, and ensure the best possible quality of life for the people you support.

With the support of the organisation you work for, you will find that Person Centred Active Support is a rewarding way of working - both for you, and the people you support. 

Congratulations! You have completed the Every Moment Has Potential online learning resource. 

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