It has been a really challenging time – it still is – but there are things we can do if we understand what people want, and pull together to help people live and work better

What can we do?

We have come to understand that the systems that people interact with can cause problems, even when they are designed to help people.

We already know that we can solve many of these problems by finding ways to really understand the system – and by working in partnership to seek solutions that produce more positive outcomes for people and communities.

We want to take action that matters to people.

This begins with hearing from people like you about what is valued at this uncertain and challenging time; what you see happening, and what you would like to happen in the future.

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Information about the survey

System Change Action Alliance (SCAA)

The survey is supported by the SCAA.  This is a group of people from across complex needs systems in Exeter and Northern Devon & Torridge, who have come together to further a bold shared mission and vision, which reflects what people say they want:

Vision Create a system which puts relationships and peoples lived experiences first.

Mission Have one system working better together for everyone, and build strong relationships where we can share resources, learning, challenges, and successes. Were we can also trailblaze different ways of working whilst challenging barriers to positive change

The SCAA supported by National Lottery Foundation Trust and One Northern Devon want to kick off their action plans with a conversation about where “the system” is currently.  That means gathering a profile of the values that make up the current culture in which we are all trying to do our best work, and live our best lives.

The survey results will enable partners to coproduce a plan of action to deliver on goals

 

You will be invited to complete the survey from the perspective with which you engage with the system.  If you feel that you have more than one perspective, you may wish to do the survey twice.  Either way, your answers will be anonymous.  No personal details are collected that would identify you.

The information goes through to Barrett Values Centre, who compile all the results anonymously, and send the survey to Amanda Kilroy, the survey lead, Barrett Values Practitioner, and Joint CEO of CoLab in Exeter.

When the survey results come back we will hold a series of sense making sessions.  Please look out for opportunities to participate if you want to get involved.

Why it is important to collect this information now

The systems that people interact with can cause problems, even when they are designed to help people.

We already know that we can solve these problems by finding ways to really understand the system and by working in partnership to seek solutions that produce more positive outcomes for people and communities.

The ‘system’ that someone with multiple and complex needs interacts with is, a complex web of services including the person, their housing situation, social care, criminal justice, substance misuse and mental health services.

The System is everyone and everything including the working cultures of organisations, the attitudes, behaviours, values and power relationships of all stakeholders – as well as physical elements, policies and procedures.

Systems change requires a radical change in our thinking, assumptions and ways of working. Systems change is not simply about implementing new projects; it is about doing things differently, and is an internal and external process rather than a project. It requires new facilitative forms of leadership and extensive collaboration. Systems change involves an ongoing process of innovation, reflection and learning. (1)

References

  • Hough J, (2016) Fulfilling Lives: Changing Systems for people with multiple and Complex Needs)

Thank you very much for completing the survey. Your responses have been successfully entered.

You will be contacted with details of the results and sense-making sessions in due course.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the survey and results, please contact Amanda Kilroy (Exeter)  amanda.kilroy@colabeexeter.org.uk Claire Fisher (Northern Devon and Torridge) c.fisher@bpag-encompass.org.uk

Cultural Values Survey – The Results

We had a great response to the survey with 164 people completing it, 54% response from Exeter and 46% from North Devon &Torridge.  Your response were both rich and sincere and have provided us a great platform from which to take action for change.

The responses represented all areas of the system and included:

Roles:

  • 29% System leaders/managers
  • 28% Frontline staff
  • 19% Operational Manager
  • 16% Service Users
  • 8% Expert by Experience/Volunteers

Service areas:

  • 24% Housing/homelessness
  • 23% Mental Health
  • 19% Health and Wellbeing
  • 16% Complex Needs
  • 14% Other
  • 7% Criminal Justice

The overall results across both areas told us that the current culture values within the system included; uncertainty about the future, bureaucracy, wasted resources and blame, however the desired cultural values and the areas in which we will focus included, compassion, making a difference and equality.

What next:

The SCAA group are hosting 2 sense making events in both Exeter and Northern Devon in February, a chance for those people who participated to come along and help us make sense of the data and to understand what actions we can take collaboratively to address the issues raised.

During the process we are also asking for stories where individuals and organisations and “done the right thing”, for their service users, patients and staff teams. Here are just some of those stories: