Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is celebrating Dignity in Care by recognising the hard work of Adult Services in providing individuals with more choice, access, and dignity in meeting their care and support needs. This celebration highlights the various projects and instances where dedicated staff have gone above and beyond to ensure the well-being and respect of those in their care.
Dignity Action Day is an opportunity for health and social care organisations to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the rights of individuals while providing them with dignified and respectful care services. This day is supported by Dignity in Care, a registered charity that advocate for the preservation and protection of public health by promoting excellent standards of care, and ensuring that care providers―including hospitals, residential homes, and care homes―prioritises the autonomy and respect of people who access their services.
Dignity in Action Day is led by the National Dignity Council, who launched the campaign in 2006. They currently have an impressive 116,000 registered Dignity Champions to date and believe that dignity in care is everyone’s responsibility through collaboration and sharing best practices.
Councillor Gareth Caple, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “Dignity in Care remains an important focus for our organisation and informs the care services we provide.
“As a Council, we are always looking for new ways that staff can actively involve people in shaping their care experience, empowering them to have more choice, control, autonomy, and, above all, Dignity.
“I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of Council officers who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that individuals receive the utmost care and respect they deserve. Their hard work is truly commendable, and it is important that we highlight the positives of the service.
“A recent survey completed by individuals currently in receipt of domiciliary care from Support@Home asked whether they felt treated with dignity and respect, and all participants answered yes.”
My Day, My Way
The My Day, My Way project was set up in 2021 to aid individuals with additional needs across the County Borough. This project facilitates access to essential care and support while empowering individuals to actively participate in decision-making processes concerning their well-being and care needs.
“87% of people with a learning disability engaged in the project indicated that they would like to change something about their day as things move out of lockdown and back to some form of normality”
The project was informed by a series of events and surveys that engaged with individuals and their parents/carers. Participants were encouraged to share their perspectives on the positives of the service, identify areas that may be lacking, and suggest improvements or changes that could enhance the care experience for their own benefit.
The outcome highlighted various wants and needs of the participants, including:
RCT staff are very supportive and about the programme and display a passion for delivering a community-focused and person-centred service that empowers people to have more control and choice over their lives. Staff have been involved in creating innovative approaches of the service in ways that benefit of the individuals that they support.
More recently, in November 2023, the Council agreed to improve their services through a new coproduced model for Day Services with three levels of support, all of which are in line with the Council’s key priorities:
The programme has and continues to receive excellent feedback from individuals and their families, which is utilised to constantly shape and improve the service. This ensures that people can access the care and support they need, but most importantly, in a way that they want to receive it.
To find out more about the My Day, My Way programme, please visit: https://lets-talk.rctcbc.gov.uk/let-s-talk-my-day-my-way
Residential Care Home Transition to Independent Living
In a recent case, an individual who had been relocated to a residential care home following a fall expressed a strong desire to return to the comfort of her own home. Recognising the importance of honouring her wishes, the dedicated social worker conducted an assessment to determine their capacity to live independently again. The assessment revealed that the individual could return home.
Working in collaboration with the individual, the social worker identified their support needs and potential risks associated with returning home. This information informed a detailed care and support plan that considered their needs and established plans to mitigate risks. The social worker also arranged for community meals to be arranged to assist with the return home.
Following the implementation of the care plan, the individual successfully moved back into their home. Occupational therapy was provided to assist them in developing their independent living skills, specifically focusing on their recovery from the fall. As a result of the proactive and person-centred approach, the individual made remarkable progress in regaining their independence. She is now able to use the microwave, manage her personal care, and shower with assistance. This is an improvement to the individual’s independence capabilities even before the accident.
The positive impact of the support means the individual has seen significant improvements to her health, confidence, and mobility. As a result, the original package of care and support has now reduced. She is currently still residing in her own home, has started attending local church services again, and due to her stability, no longer requires the involvement of the social worker.
This successful case demonstrates the positive impact of a dedicated and person-centred approach of the service. By prioritising the needs of the individual and actively involving them in their care package, their independence and overall well-being has improved, showing dignity in their care.
To find out more about Dignity Action Day, please visit: https://www.dignityincare.org.uk/
