ASCC Communications Awards 2008
Categories:
Campaign
Winner - Foster a Future, Newcastle City Council
This campaign aimed to:
- Increase the number of carers
- Establish the service as a first choice for carers
- Promote fostering to specific audiences.
The ‘Foster a Future’ was developed as a new brand, which aimed to capture the ‘magic moments’ shared between carers and children.
The campaign was targeted through television, radio and newspaper advertising, Posters, foster parties and an internal communications campaign.
Highly commended - Blueprint Project: To enable Looked after children & Young People to participate in planning their own lives, Kirklees Council, Children & Young People Service
The Blueprint Project is a major campaign to continuously improve the involvement of ‘looked after’ children and young people in their social care reviews, combining respect with fun. The outcomes have been excellent - we have recorded big increases in their attendance and active participation over two years.
Social Care Programme Communications, Wolverhampton City Council - Adults & Community
Wolverhampton Council has introduced a wide ranging programme to transform the way social care is delivered. The communications campaign gave key messages about these changes, including a new single phone number for support. The campaign included face to face communications plus regular bulletins, newsletters and internal messaging systems and dedicated web pages on the intranet.
There was also a newspaper sent to every home in the city. Two leaflets and posters explained the launch to the public, staff and partners, plus a dedicated webpage in the internet.
Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT), Salford City Council - Information Services
Salford’s Mental Capacity Act Implementation Group agreed all Salford residents and staff needed to be aware of the Act. They chose the ADRT as the hook to engage the public and lead them to find out more.
A ‘donor’ type card was produced plus leaflets, web content and press and newsletter articles. The leaflet was produced in an accessible format. And, audio and community language versions were available.
Carers Week, North Yorkshire County Council
A roadshow during Carers Week 2008 when a trailer was taken to rural areas on market days around the county. The aim was to showcase the services available to carers.
Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Flintshire County Council
The aim of this campaign is to provide accurate, accessible information in a range of formats for adults with a learning disability and their carers about the complaints procedure in Flintshire.
The campaign consists of:
- A DVD in signed and unsigned versions. (A Welsh voiceover can also be requested.)
- A bilingual easy read leaflet
- Easy read forms to record compliments and complaints. (Available in Welsh and other formats too.)
The Moving On Campaign, Enfield Council Health and Adult Social Care
To produce a campaign to raise awareness of the transition process of ‘Moving On’ from Children’s to Adult Services.
The campaign consists of:
- Brand/logo
- Annual celebration/information day
- Flyers/posters
- Information leaflet about transition
- Advice and guidance handbook
- Signposting game
- Song CD
- Staff training workshops
- Young people’s guide
Live Well in Later Life, The City of Edinburgh Council
Engagement of key audiences in the proposals for older peoples services in Edinburgh. Evaluating the consultation. Communicating the commitment to providing quality care.
This was done by:
- Recruiting older people advisers
- Printed and web based information
- An information stand at public events
- Publications and press releases
- Events lead by the 10 volunteer advisers
New Media
Winner - Infostore, Adults Social Care, Leeds City Council
A comprehensive information website - www.olderpeopleleeds.info - is for older people, carers, relatives and professionals. Produced as the pace of change made it necessary to frequently update service directories and as people working with older people communicated the internet was their first choice for information. As a steadily larger group of older people - Silver surfers – embrace technology a key aspiration is “…all older people in Leeds will have access to good relevant information”. Including details of hundreds of organisations and services, direct access to documents and external websites and the option of a monthly e-newsletter, the site aims to help older people make choices across their whole lives, not just about social care.
Highly commended - Our Future Lives, North Yorkshire County Council
A DVD anticipating the gradual replacement of communal living in residential homes to the model of housing and care. Focussing on what extra care is and how it combines with traditional services the DVD includes the stories of individual tenants and shows how extra care can prevent isolation and give older people choice, dignity and independence along with a sense of belonging to a community. Describing services and facilities, which needs extra care can meet the DVD gives access and procedure information with contact details.
Highly commended - InformationNOW website, Quality of Life Partnership
Newcastle Older People’s Website was developed by the Quality of Life Partnership in response to an identified need for accurate and accessible information for older people. This citywide electronic information resource is written from the perspective of older people, rather than from a service perspective and aims to help older people, families and carers to navigate the system. It is supported by links with key groups of front-line staff, such as Social Workers, Sheltered Housing Officers and Multi-agency Discharge Teams, who can access the information from older people who don’t use the format.
Adult Social Care & Health Intranet, Nottinghamshire County Council Adult Social Care & Health
A Domino based intranet “Social Care Online” now provides both the department’s preferred means of communication and access to the information resources which staff need to do their jobs. Where previously only a fraction of the intranet capacity and resources available were used, integral walkthrough training makes staff more aware of what the intranet offers, how best to use it and how to make it part of their daily routine. Feedback is positive and it is looked to replicate this type of training success elsewhere within the department.
MindSET - Chooselife - Scottish Government's Strategy to reduce suicide rates, SAMH – Scotland’s leading mental health charity
A training website, the aim of MindSET is to provide flexible access to online mental health awareness-raising information to help reduce stigma, promote recovery and generally improve awareness of mental health and suicide within the partner agencies of the Chooselife implementation group. This centralised recovery focussed training for staff from all partner agencies, provided online, is updated easily and centrally providing a consistent training message in a cost effective way.
Ask Away! - Direct payments project, Bedfordshire County Council
A DVD, presented as a drama aimed at improving the opportunity for service users and carers to make an informed choice about how they might use Direct Payments to meet their Social Care needs as part of the Personalisation Agenda. The DVD is supported by new, Plain English and Easy-read leaflets and additional targeted information is available to download enabling specific responses to client groups e.g. carers. Based on real life case examples, signing and subtitles are included to improve accessibility.
Enabled: a guide for parents and carers of disabled children, Kirklees Council, Children & Young People
CD Audio and PDF files supported with a printed booklet, Enabled is a suite of publications which were created in the spirit of striving for excellence. PDF files ensure updates are regular and affordable while CD audio provides for a large community using spoken but not written Urdu. Enabled uses new media to ensure seven objectives, it is: consultation led; frequently updated; best value; promotes community cohesion; in plain language; supports the green agenda and complies with corporate media standards.
Say No to Abuse, London Borough of Barnet - Adult Social Services
A DVD developed as part of Barnet’s Multi-agency safeguarding Adults Committee strategy enabling all vulnerable adults to be aware of the risks of abuse and so reduce future risks, empowering local residents to report abuse. Accompanying materials such as workshops enable participants to understand the different types of abuse, what to do and who to tell if it is happening to them or someone they know and this DVD supports the learning with footage of each type of abuse as seen through the eyes of the vulnerable adult to allow the viewer to identify with the victim, whatever the client group.
The Moving On Game, Enfield Council Health and Adult Social Care
An exciting, interactive way of communicating the transition process to young disabled people, The Moving On game enables young people with communication and/or learning difficulties to identify the services they might access throughout their journey from Children’s to adult services and beyond. The Youth inclusion team and Children’s Rights services consulted with a group of learning disabled young people about how best to present information about transition and they said through pictures, words and symbols. The picture and matching format of the game creates the opportunity for young people to self-advocate making choices and decisions about their own needs and life plans.
e-information resource for residental mental health services, The City of Edinburgh Council
A website to let people experiencing a mental health problem know there is help out there, what services are on offer and to inform friends/relatives of people experiencing a mental health problem what help there is. Letting those who are experiencing a mental health problem decide which residential home would be most suitable for them and to let people who are thinking of getting care, what the process is for getting into a residential care home the site also allows the tax payers of Edinburgh see how some of their taxes are being spent… The site came from working with staff and residents of three care homes, addressing what information was required and what residents would have liked before moving in.
Need help to live independently? We’re talking to you!, Walsall Council
A DVD to make it easier for people from Black and Asian communities to find out about and contact social services. To produce information about social services in formats that Black and Asian people and to address the lack of uptake of social services by older people in Black and Asian communities a reference group of older people from the target groups was set up to advise on the content, format and promotion of the DVD and volunteers and staff also participated in the filming. Staff and service users viewed a draft version of the DVD and were able to suggest changes before the final version was completed.
Publication
Winner - Sexual Health Education Packs, Sheffield City Council
Booklets and packs, these resources meet a gap in provision with appropriate information, language and visual aids to discuss puberty, relationships, contraception and sexual health issues with vulnerable young people. The packs contain detailed information on puberty and sexual health, give young people opportunities to discuss their feelings and encourage participation by using quizzes throughout. The format enables and encourages young people to ask questions and have honest discussions about their concerns.
Workers feel that this has strengthened their relationships with young people, parents have been welcoming of the project and have seen considerable improvement in some areas and young people have said they have learned far more than from school lessons and have learnt about some things for the first time.
Highly commended - The Moving On handbook for Parents and Carers, Enfield Council Health and Adult Social Care
A Handbook produced to aid transition. This comprehensive resource, for parents/carers of young disabled people or those who have been identified as having a Special Educational Need, came from feedback from parents/carers whose children had already gone through transition. This handbook informs parents/carers of what to expect at each stage through transition and helps make the process a positive experience without any worries and anxieties and includes information and advice for different stages of a young person’s life, from age 13-25. It is part of a wider campaign and uses the same “Moving On” branding designed by young people at a local school.
Guide to Adoption for Children with Communication Difficulties, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Adoption Team
A booklet presented as a cartoon with text and Makaton symbols, this is a guide for children with communication difficulties as a significant number of disabled children and young people with communication problems are placed for adoption each year. This guide was designed as a tool that social workers could use to help explain adoption to these children aiming to give children a better understanding of adoption and explaining what adoption is and how it works in a clear and very simple way.
Directory of Services for Older People, Bath & North East Somerset Adult Social Services & Housing
One useful, clear and easy-to-access booklet, the aim of this directory is to make it easier for older people and their carers to find information, previously communicated in different places in the form of leaflets. Feedback from older people and their carers said they would find a directory useful and their preference was for it to be in a paper booklet format. The intention is to empower independence for older people bringing everything together but with colour-coded sections (e.g. house and home, personal and family support, advocacy and campaigning, safety and security etc) for easy reference.
Improving Adult's Wellbeing Strategy, Haringey Council, Adult, Culture and Community Services
A booklet with an alternative easy-read version, The Well-being Strategic Framework (WBSF) is based on the seven outcomes of Our Health, Our Care, Our Say. It aims to promote a healthier Haringey by improving well-being and tackling health inequalities for everyone aged 18 years and over. In order to make a significant impact on planning and delivery of well-being services, including social care, a dedicated WBSF page is on the council’s website, while the summary booklet outlines the seven goals in an accessible format. The easy-read version was developed with a specialist communication worker in the Learning Disabilities Partnership, using graphics and minimal words and is downloadable from the council’s website for those with learning disabilities or who find reading difficult or whose first language is not English.
Local Involvement Network (LINKs) Newsletter, Bedfordshire County Council
A newsletter, LINKs is an opportunity to embed the views, experience and expertise of service users, patients, groups, organisations and communities in the way local health and social care services are planned and delivered. Tailored to individuals, groups and organisations and for members of the public who are new to the concept the first edition newsletter was also used as a promotional tool for a consultation event, the high attendance and diversity of attendees reflected the impact that the communication had achieved.
Easy Read Complaints Leaflet, North Yorkshire County Council
A leaflet launching a range of easy-read publications the Complaints Leaflet makes service information accessible. We started with the Complaints leaflet as service users felt this was the most important and it was produced with small, simple sentences with accompanying pictures. Although most likely used by people with learning disabilities it is also accessible to other groups like older people and speakers of other languages as it provides clear and unambiguous content without jargon and management speak.
Living Magazine, Lincolnshire County Council
Living magazine was set up to communicate with users of Supporting People services and to move away from the “one size fits all” approach, giving individuals information about Supporting people in a user-friendly way. Living magazine also caters for providers, some of which are relatively small third sector organisations.
Adult Social Services Newsletter, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
The Adult and Social services newsletter was introduced as a way of communicating information to all staff (employees, senior management and external partners) including those who do not have access to a computer and who are dispersed across many different locations such as residential homes and day centres. Alongside Department news you will find: The Director of Adult Social Services introduction; a “Spotlight On” section which highlights the work of a specific team, a “Getting to Know You” section where an individual member of staff is profiled, “Star Spotting” nominating colleagues who do an excellent job; a “Making a Difference – Compliments” section featuring real compliments received into the Customer Care team and a “Dates for you Diary” section plus articles from external agencies and information about new employees, new policies and legislation.
Live Life to the Full in Kirklees, Kirklees Council
The ‘Live Life to the Full’ brochure was produced as part of the vision to improve the quality of life for older citizens living in Kirklees. Older people need information in order to plan a longer life which is fulfilling and active; the ‘Live Life to the Full’ brochure helps them to make informed choices. ‘Living Life to the Full’ has been produced to help people find information, explore opportunities they may not have been aware of and prepare for new horizons as they grow older. The outcomes that we want for all older people in Kirklees include improved health and well being, quality of life, to make a positive contribution, exercise choice and control, have freedom from discrimination or harassment, enjoy economic well being and ensure personal dignity.
Going for a Blood Test, Oldham Council
A factsheet being piloted as many people with a learning disability have greater health needs than the general population but often find access difficult. To prevent health provision outcomes falling short when compared with those of the non-disabled population this initial factsheet about having a blood test (chosen due to it being a common medical procedure) comes with the hope that a range of accessible factsheets about available tests and screening procedures will be developed. The factsheets will provide information in a user-friendly format, enabling service users and their carers to be more informed about their own personal healthcare and treatment / procedures available at GP surgeries, to be more involved in decisions about the treatment they receive, allow them to discuss the information at their leisure and prepare questions before their appointment, so reducing anxiety and stress about treatment and procedures and assisting medical staff in explaining procedures and treatments.
Conversion of leaflets on Social Care to online factsheets, Devon County Council
Online Factsheets, converted public information from leaflets to factsheets amended instantly online and printed only as and when required. This stopped re-issuing leaflets every time content changed reducing unnecessary paper consumption, ink consumption and print costs, eliminated storage, packaging, transport and postage needs. The factsheets ensure public information is easily accessible and posters were sent out to promote the factsheets range, where to find them on the web and where to obtain one-off copies. Laminated cards were produced to show the factsheet title and asking people to ask for the latest copy which were displayed, with the posters in receptions. Large print fact sheets are also available online and audio versions are on their way.
Special entries
Winner - Ask Away! Direct payments project - Bedfordshire County Council
DVD (presented as a drama) / Easy-read leaflets and downloads. The aim of the Direct Payments project was to improve the opportunity for service users and carers to make an informed choice about how they might use Direct Payments to meet their Social Care needs as part of the Personalisation Agenda. The original idea was a response to the expressed wishes of service users, gleaned from surveys, to gain a better understanding of Direct Payments and the possibilities they can offer whilst recognising that Direct Payments are not appropriate for everyone.
Welcome to your Library, London Borough of Hillingdon
Events, arts and celebrations. Moving away from leaflets and posters the project involved groups and services in the organisation of events centred on arts and celebration activities for children and families. Engaging refugee and asylum seekers’ the project’s aim was: promote use of libraries, nurture a sense of belonging, learning, well-being and develop informed use of services, to tackle isolation, wellbeing and mental health issues; Build confidence among staff and communities for effective communication; Develop libraries as places that are viewed as a reliable information source and route of learning. The programme ran in areas with 42% minority ethnic communities including a junior school where, for 74% of the children, English was spoken as an additional language.
Putting People First - Personalising Adult Social Care booklet, Lincolnshire County Council
Booklet produced to provide information to staff and the general public about the new Putting People First agenda and personal budgets. Part of Lincolnshire was an Individual Budget pilot site and to help promote Individual Budgets the council had already developed a frequently asked questions publication. This booklet built on the work that had already taken place, giving the context to personalisation and setting the scene for the transformation of adult social care in Lincolnshire. Full colour booklet with 16 pages consisting mainly of frequently asked questions and photographs of service users.