Charity Begins At Home?

I recently filled a couple of bags of old clothes and donated to a national charity (won’t name it but it’s very well known) which has a chain of shops across the city of Derby and the rest of the country. It’s a good feeling knowing that someone will benefit from recycled clothes even though my sense fashion is critiqued by my peers! Later that day I was watching the news on the tv and caught a discussion part way through about how our taxes are not split evenly across the UK, with many complaining of higher levels of government expenditure in London and the South East part of England. This got me thinking…….

National charities work in a similar way. Across the country they receive donations and clothes for recycling from individuals like you and I. Many of these shops are run by volunteers and usually 1 or 2 paid staff. I looked into the financial turnover of 2 charities which operate to the model above, one working with older people and one with disabled people with a very specific impairment. Both had income exceeding £35m a year. Now I’ve been working in the local voluntary sector for over 20 years and I’m quite confident in saying that very little money is handed down to the local branches of the said 2 charities to run free services to that particular group of people. Seems very familiar indeed!

It’s also quite concerning to note that these local branches are often expected to raise their own income and then give a portion to head office (often in London!) and such groups then look towards local authorities for grant funding – and they get it too! This is the bit where I’ll declare an interest. As CEO of a local charity, we are often ‘competing’ for funding with groups who have national affiliation to a head office which chooses to distribute finances elsewhere.

Recently here in Derby, a large train-making company lost a contract to a German counterpart. Nationally, there was an uproar that preference should be given to UK based companies. I don’t know about you but I think the same concept applies at a local level for locally based not-for-profit groups bidding for local contracts/grants.

Local authorities, CCG’s and even grant making trusts need to think very seriously about their procurement, commissioning or grant-making processes which can often irreversibly damage the ability of local groups to develop into something special and unique in meeting local need.

The next time you donate your clothes or perhaps even cash, ask the charity shop manager how much of the income they raise is spent on people locally. I think we know the answer will be quite vague.

Agree with Amo?  Don’t Agree With Amo?  Get a life Amo?

Amo Raju – CEO Disability Direct

PA's? - Who Cares?

Over the last 20 years I've discussed all types of issues affecting disabled people yet very rarely talked about Personal Assistants (PA's). The other day I was delivering a session on the social model to a room full PA's in Derby. It's no surprise that they actually understood the model but what became very clear by the end of the session was the need for peer support.

As have many other user-led organisations, we have been supporting disabled people through Direct Payment Support Service contracts over the last decade or so. In each region, the majority of these contracts came to an end a couple of years ago as was the case here in Derby. Along with my peers across the country, one of our fears was that without the correct guidance, some direct payment users may be unknowingly breaking basic employment law or developing almost destructive working practices. It's important to state that often disabled people are in the role of 'Employer' without any training and are just as liable in staff management as the boss who has the luxury of a HR Manager as and when needed. Don't get me wrong, I'm 100% behind this option as opposed to sole reliance on care agencies....but just feel there is now a gap in support to disabled people & PA's which I've been told has led to an increase in cases at employment tribunals.

There are of course less social workers than before too which combined with he 'lighter touch' monitoring requirements means that there is very little evidence gathering of the local picture in the employment and equally important, retention of PA's. In fact I'd be very interested to know (percentage wise) how many people using direct payments/personal budgets actually know who their social workers are!

At this session which i talked about earlier, there were some PA's who seemed on the verge of tears due to poor treatment by the boss. Nearly all stated that there was not the framework or mechanism to raise grievances, unions didn't seem interested - neither did the local authority. 'A single point of call for advice would be brilliant' said one. By the end of the session I offered to support them in setting up their own peer support group - within seconds nearly all agreed to sign-up!

As the current social care system is failing a good portion of disabled and older people, it needs to be recognised that it is leading to a very dissatisfied social care workforce too which will only cause problems in the longer-term. I urge other Disabled Peoples Organisations to help create PA support networks too - let's be honest, no one else is going to do it and in the bigger picture it's in our own interests!

Agree?                     Disagree?                   Who Cares?

If you have any thoughts or comments, lease feel free to get in touch ;

amo.raju@disabilitysyndicate.com

Extra Costs Commission

Do you find being a disabled person is an expensive business?

With prices for everyday living at an all time high, less available liquid cash and disability benefits on the DWP 'chopping board', disabled people are being asked to do more with less money. Some of you will agree that the reality is this has been the case for many, many years. Yet, this time it seems to be tougher than before, with the pundits predicting more gloom when the bank interest rates begin to rise.

The really sad thing is that elements within society almost seems to be too comfortable with the generalised labelling of disabled people as 'benefits scroungers'. It doesn't help when some of the media decide to run headlines which steer the ill-informed (excuse the pun).

Nevertheless, I'd like to praise the national charity 'Scope' for taking the initiative at such a difficult time for disabled people by putting together a commission which will look into the frighteningly high cost of living for disabled people. I'm even more pleased to be one of the nine commissioners who will look into the subject matter and thus keen to hear from you with your thoughts and perhaps personal experiences. You can of course let Scope know directly via the following link ;

http://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/extra-costs-commission/personal-story

Or, feel free to email me ; amo.raju@disabilitysyndicate.com

I'll keep you in the loop about the work of the commission. In the meantime, don't forget to follow me on twitter - @syndicateCEO

Amo Raju
Chief Exec.

Comedy Sketch Show - "I'm Spazticus"

Have you been following the Channel 4 series of "I'm Spazticus"?

If you haven't then I'm sure you'll be able to download it on you-tube sooner or later. There has been some activity on Facebook & Twitter stating that it is either offensive or it's pure genius. For the benefit of those who haven't seen the programme, it's basically a sketch show with disabled actors/comedians taking impairments and disability as a whole and then gag after gag after gag! As usual, I'm not about to sit on the fence on this one - Yes, you're right...... I Love it!

There are those of you who may/will feel uncomfortable watching the show as you feel it allows the audience to laugh at disabled people. However, there are many counter-arguments to this point of view. Here's a couple to get the debate started.......

Firstly, I don't believe for one minute that people are laughing at disabled people.....each joke, each punchline, each sketch seemed to highlight society's reaction towards disabled people - "bring on the social model!!!" Secondly, we as disabled people seem to have finally come to terms with a fact made by the veteran comedian, Lenny Henry, a couple of decades ago......a person has no right to laugh at others until they have laughed at themselves! My personal opinion is that it is a sign of progress when such a show is on the air and already seems to have many fans.

If for whatever reason you are offended by the programme, then I don't really have any advice for you but to log-on to t'internet and book an aeroplane ticket back to the 20th century.

More programmes like "I'm Spazticus" please, as they very simply prove in the most light-hearted way possible -  Disability isn't funny, it's societies' stupidities that are now the joke!


Agree?         Don't Agree?         Amo is a joke?

Amo Raju
CEO - The Disability Syndicate

Please Let Us Tick A Box For You!

Has your funder asked you to work with a User Led Organisation? Has central government given you targets which include consulting the views of disabled people? Has your boss asked you to go talk to "that disability place"?....If so, please use us -  Seriously! We only set our organisations up for your cause!

Across the country I'm constantly reminded that DPULO's and CIL's are pulled in many directions by statutory, commercial and peer voluntary agencies too. However, as CEO of two CIL's and having been asked to sit on numerous committees, steering groups, consultation panels (call them what you may), I believe it is time to review the purpose of such requests.

Are we asked for our input because our views are so valuable? The cynic in me says No! 

If you are asked of such requests, just for a moment, cast your mind back to the last or perhaps current committee where your presence was felt necessary....Was your involvement as a Disabled Peoples Representative truly acknowledged? Were your views actually discussed? Not only did they accept your thoughts on the subject matter but did they implement them into a plan? Are simple matters deferred to the next meeting then the meeting after that?....Or my favourite :- Was a plan tabled, you and your organisation disagreed and commented on it but then it was nevertheless rubber stamped by the powers that be? Oh yes, I think so!

Some of you may be paid members of staff, some will be volunteers. However regardless of your status within your ULO, your time and experience is invaluable and more importantly, irreplaceable. Remember, they need you more than you think you need them.

My advice is to set a time table, log your thoughts on a separate document, measure whether there has been adequate progress on the subject matter and feel free to leave when it becomes naturally clear that your input has merely ticked a box!!

Agree?       Don't Agree?        Like ticking boxes?

Amo Raju

The Best Time for Personal Budgets?

Time to open a can of worms……..

Ask a local authority official and you’ll most likely be told that the number of PB’s awarded rises year on year. Technically they’re right too. However, are budgets being used “creatively”? I say creatively as this is the word used by “professionals” in the authorities who want to see support plans which literally knock their socks off! For example, in a time of recession and mass unemployment amongst non-disabled youths, Support Planners are told they need to include employment/training opportunities for disabled people!

Those who have known me for a while will recall my prediction around 10 years ago when I said that staff at Disability Direct will be doing the job of Social Workers in the future. Support Planning and PB support services are a typical example of this. This approach was well received by social workers who could see we were helping them with their heavy workloads. But then came…..Council cuts.

Less Care Managers and even bigger workloads.  It’s been reported across the country and certainly in the East Midlands that staff in local authorities prefer to refer & keep the “case” internally. Work it out….why would staff behave in this way? I think you know the reason.

Additionally, is the service provider “market” ready to meet the “new” spending needs of PB holders? Again there will be two schools of thought on this issue. As CEO of a user-led group, I’m regularly told by users “it’s the same old money under a new name, spent on the same old services”. How true too!

 Some think tank in a smokey room came up with a great idea…. “Let’s support the creation of micro-providers who will add more variety to the social care market”. Great idea. As I’m typing this I can’t stop giggling….hence here I must say LOL (how cool and hip am I hey?). I giggled because as the government pumped money into stimulating micro-markets, it drastically reduced the services of Business Link Advisors. Again, you’re not daft, you can work out where Im heading here.

 Let me hark back to another prediction I made 2 years ago. Brokerage Services!….. “There’s going to be a need for brokers/support planners” they cried across the country. Suddenly, every man and his aunty set up to be a “Broker”……. I predicted that 75% of these brokers will be broke within a couple of years. Now don’t deny me… CEO in “Smug Mode”. If there’s no referrals then there will be no brokers!

 Now you’re asking….Oh knowledgeable smug one….What’s the answer to the above? The truth is… I don’t have an answer but I do have a thought as follows :

 The current plan is not working…..let’s be big enough to admit it and rewind not necessarily to the beginning but to a point where we can achieve realistic and meaningful outcomes …not for social workers, not for senior practitioners, not for ULO’s but for disabled people who battled for years to get a Personal Budget.

 I think It’s time for politicians, the local authority and ULO’s to sit around the table and smoke cigars again.

Agree?             Don’t Agree?                  CEO too smug?

Amo

Wake-Up Bosses!!!

Apologies, I've not paid you much attention recently. Staff and some of you too advised that my blogs were missed....so no excuses...i've slapped my wrist.

Let the ranting re-commence.......................

Over the last month or so, I've been made aware of at least 3 organisations (obviously won't be saying who they are - as one of them were reported by their own staff!) where the hierarchy love & praise the work of The Disability Syndicate but their staff clearly demonstrate a contradictory approach. This poses a question or two, possibly three.....Do senior management receive a true report of what goes on at the front-line? Do front-line staff  feel comfortable (maybe too comfortable) with choosing who they wish to work with? Or more seriously...is negativity towards another organisation a direct order from above?

This is where you'll be asking me "Amo, do you know what your staff are doing on the front-line?" Here, I can confidently say "pretty much so!". It's my job not only to make sure the pennies roll in but to keep in contact with my peers, my staff and more importantly the service users. I make it my job to talk to everyone and receive constant updates about "what's the word on the street?".

Back to that third question : I think we'll both agree on this.... As CEO if I say that staff will not be working with another organisation, then it's quite likely staff will comply with my request. If I was to do such a thing I think you as the community, the funder of The Disability Syndicate will be demanding my head on a stick at the front door...and quite rightly so.

As usual, by now you're saying..."get to the point Amo!".

My point : if you're the the gaffa of your organisation and you want to work with us....make sure your desire is  conveyed to the staff. If you're gaffa and don't want to work with us, be polite and let me know and i'll make sure staff here only continue to work with like-minded peer groups. If you can't control your staff....WE WILL..

Love & Kisses...
Amo
CEO