'Nothing About Us Without Us': What We’ve Learned from Co-Designing Services with Care Homes
4 Minute Read
Introduction
Operating in the social care sector is special. It’s not like any other and that can be a challenge; the combination of public and private, the careful balance of doing good while being sustainable, it truly makes for a unique experience.
That’s why the quote “Nothing About Us Without Us” is so pertinent to me. It summarises the idea that you cannot do something for someone without including them in the development process. Fortunately, it was something I was told early on in my career and has stood me in good stead while supporting care homes. Here are some of the key learnings I’ve learned from this approach and some ways that you may be able to benefit from it too:
Being Person-Centred is More than a Buzzword
In life, actions speak louder than words and those that work in social care are a true testament to this. The vast majority do all they can to provide the very best care possible for the humans in their care. The challenge with this is that it sometimes means they forget to shout about what great things they are doing.. sometimes because they’re too modest, sometimes because they simply don’t have the time!
The Numbers Have to Stack Up
Social care has big financial problems (I know you don’t need me to tell you that!), so it’s important that there is a robust business case behind decisions. This usually isn’t about making heaps of profit (like some corners of the media would have you believe), but it is about ensuring that resources are allocated prudently and have a positive RoI.
The Best Take This Approach As Well
I knew this approach was the right one when I learned early on that leaders within the social care sector do it themselves. Two direct quotes from Managing Directors of care groups are “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason” and “If you want to go far, go together”, highlight the importance of listening and learning from others on this we’re on.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: outcomes are better when we listen and put those that we support at the heart of our services. This is true of us, and you and everyone else that wants to be successful. If you’re interested in how we can take these learnings and apply them to your marketing strategy, book a 30-minute Discovery Call today.