Agenda item

The Committee will receive an overview of the Wiltshire Pioneers project.  Case studies and further details of the project are attached.

The Chairman welcomed Mary Reed and Abbie-Jo Lawrence (Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living) and Daniel Wilkins (Head of Transformation and Quality) who were in attendance to provide an overview of the Wiltshire Pioneers project as requested by members following the discussion of the service user contract at the last meeting.

Summarising the more detailed presentation included in the agenda pack, the following was highlighted: 

·            The aim of the work of the pioneers was to ensure that the people who use social care are key engineers in its transformation, working in equal partnership with Wiltshire Council staff.  The project went live last year and there are 6 core pioneers that work closely with the Council and a wider network of 100 pioneers.  The 35 staff from Adult Social Care who are involved are called Innovators;

·            Best practice for doing co-production is where they are trying to get to and that is ‘doing with’ as opposed to ‘doing to’ or ‘doing for’;

·            Wiltshire CIL had designed the Pioneers Project, with a lot of thought going into the mechanisms and processes needed to affect change and develop meaningful partnerships.  They had drawn on a range of evidence and theories in the development of the work including business change models and techniques used in strengths based practice.  It was acknowledged that not all is perfect in systems and there was consideration as to what could be co-created in the future.  It was lots of small actions leading to bigger changes in the system.  They were not looking to change Adult Social Care overnight but they wanted people to see change happening, have fun and feel energised to make progress;

·            There had been events held across the county, but it was recognised that not all want to attend events so there was also WhatsApp groups, emails and surveys.  Open communication was important and the WhatsApp group had opened up great conversations and the sharing of stories of what was going well.  Wiltshire CIL staff facilitate interactive meet ups between innovators and pioneers, which were as far away from traditional meetings as possible, encouraging everyone to come together as equals and collaborate;

·            There had been great progress since they had got started in February 2024 – there were 6 work streams and growing.  Teams had come to them to ask the pioneers to look at their work to see what could be improved.  The pioneers had worked closely with the Financial Assessment and Benefits (FAB) and designed a new form.  There had been great feedback from those using the new form;

·            There had been feedback from innovators saying that it helped remind them of why they became a Social Worker in the first place and that engagement with the pioneers had led to so many good ideas, and some very simple changes that it would make all the difference;

·            Some feedback from a pioneer was that they now feel they have a chance for their voice to be finally heard and to make small but important changes and feeling like they had grown as a person and have a purpose in life again;

·            The impact was better service integration, improving productivity, enhancing staff insight and practice and changing the culture of social care; and

·            They were also working with young pioneers to look at children’s services. 

The Committee asked the following questions which included but were not limited to: 

·            We note that that there are organisations in various towns across the county – where do you operate from?  It was noted that the work was happening all across Wiltshire but there was a limited resource. 

·            Should the Area Boards be involved to help spread the word of what was happening and were there any plans to share briefings or publicise what they do?  It was noted that the CIL had had initial discussions with David Redfern (Director - Leisure Culture & Communities) and that they would love to do more with the wider community.

·            Was this type of innovative work happening elsewhere that they could share for others to learn from?  It was noted that Professor Mat Jones fromUniversity of West of England was interested and that there were some universities also interested in the work, and Wilts CIL’s other national partners such as Think Local Act Personal especially as it was co-production and not just ‘doing to’ work.  Dan Wilkins had presented at Community Care Live which was a national conference to share their work.

Jane Davies (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion) wished to thank the Wiltshire CIL and the pioneers and innovators for all the great work.

Resolved: 

That the Health Select Committee: 

1.          Thank the Wiltshire Pioneers for their innovative work in co-production and ensuring the needs of people with disabilities are central in the delivery of services and to note the overview of the project.

2.          Receive an update on the work of the Wiltshire Pioneers in January 2026.