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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Because it's there...
— voluntary councils reflect on contributing to strategic planning for integrated services for older people in Cwm Taf | | Author(s) | Sharon Richards, Anne Morris, Stewart Greenwell |
| Journal title | Journal of Integrated Care, vol 23, no 4, 2015 |
| Publisher | Emerald, 2015 |
| Pages | pp 219-231 |
| Source | www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/jica/htm |
| Keywords | Voluntary agencies ; Services ; Coordination ; Interaction [welfare services] ; Planning [admin] ; Policy ; Case studies ; Rhonnda, Cynon, Taff ; Merthyr Tydfil. |
| Annotation | Third-sector agencies have a history that has often left them 'sidelined' by the public sector. This paper aims to understand the strategic role of third-sector agencies, showing how all agencies involved can be respected and trusted, and in which conflicts of interest around commissioning services are well-managed. The paper highlights how power differentials between agencies and sectors influence behaviour, and how a voluntary council can promote the voice of users and carers. A case study considers the nature of voluntary sector activity in Cwm Taf, South Wales, refers to learning from elsewhere, and confirms and challenges the experience. It draws on the experiences of two key third-sector workers and on local survey data, as well as the experiences of community co-ordinators. It highlights the importance of 'being there' in policy development, implementing change and taking action. 'Being at the top table' was critical in developing a stronger third sector and user voice, and in supporting the ambitions of Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Third-sector agencies have been good and mature partners, honest brokers or commissioners, completers or finishers, and critical friends. Power and influence are significant in changing the way that older people receive a different offer - not, 'what can we do for you?', but, 'help us to understand what will make a difference to your life'. Third-sector agencies are crucial change agents, and are better at representing users and carers than public sector agencies doing it alone. The concept of interdependence, as being more energising for older people and agencies, is explored. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-151013201 A |
| Classmark | PK: I: QAJ: QK6: QA6: QAD: 69P: 94B: 94F |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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