{"id":174,"date":"2013-08-26T09:04:24","date_gmt":"2013-08-26T09:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/innovate\/?p=174"},"modified":"2017-02-03T12:47:37","modified_gmt":"2017-02-03T12:47:37","slug":"circles-of-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.iriss.org.uk\/innovate\/2013\/08\/26\/circles-of-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Circles of Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

We welcome guest contributors to this blog. Today’s post comes from Lauren Johnston at STRADA (Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol<\/a>). Lauren’s example highlights an innovation to her sector.<\/p>\n

She has outlined how her organisation are supporting others to trial a ‘circles of care’ approach to support. More than that, though, her work also highlights the value of 1). testing things out 2). using knowledge from elsewhere to inform new practice development 3). how taking a strengths based approach can transform the relationships between people being supported and those who provide support – all stuff that is right up our street!<\/p>\n

Thanks Lauren for your contribution – looking forward to reading more in September!<\/p>\n

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Melting the Iceberg of Scotland\u2019s drug and alcohol problem: Report of the Independent Enquiry (2010)<\/a> identified the need to develop a whole-population approach as a response to help tackle Scotland\u2019s drug and alcohol problem and to develop a Circle of Care concept.\u00a0 The concept aims to empower the focus person (service user) by allowing them to explore their needs and identify the support they require from services to help them in their recovery. The focus person also identifies their recovery capital to become part of their Circle of Care. Recovery capital is another term for personal\/social assets and can include family, partners, friends, peers, volunteers, community resources. A facilitator, typically a professional, works alongside the focus person supporting them with the process. This style of working requires a shift in power between the professional and service user \u2013 where the professional guides and facilitates choices and decision making allowing the focus person to lead.<\/p>\n

STRADA are currently developing a Circle of Care approach with a range of statutory and voluntary drug and alcohol organisations across Scotland.\u00a0 Circle based approaches have a strong evidence base in a range of health and social settings including learning disabilities, sex offending and homelessness.\u00a0\u00a0 Currently there is little evidence to suggest that circle based approaches work in the field of substance misuse.\u00a0 STRADA are therefore coordinating a \u2018Proof of Concept\u2019 phase to test the applicability of circle based approaches within this area.<\/p>\n

The aims of the \u2018Proof of Concept\u2019 phase are in line with the Scottish Government Road to Recovery agenda and Supporting the Development of Scotland\u2019s Alcohol and Drug Workforce statement.\u00a0 The aims are;<\/p>\n