Background:
Strengths-based (also known as asset-based) practice is a model of care delivery and organisation which seeks to start from what matters to the person and their families, builds on their informal and community networks and resources, and in which the role of professionals and services is to complement people’s own resources. Whilst there is a general agreement that strengths-based practice is a positive development, and it is a key principle of the Care Act 2014, embedding it within social care services is proving to be challenging. It is also now built into general practice through the employment of link workers within Primary Care Networks with similar operational challenges.
One gap in current research and practice knowledge is how models of strengths-based practices should be adapted within black and minority ethnic communities, and the role of voluntary and community sector organisations in leading such developments. This project will seek to respond to this gap through exploring the perspectives and experiences of older people within the Sikh community.
Policy and Practice Partners:
Nishkam.
Co-Funding Partners:
N/A
Aims and Objectives:
To explore the concept of ‘strengths’ with older people within the Sikh community and understand the family and community assets which matter to them.
To identify the role of voluntary and community sector organisations in supporting older people in the Sikh community to build on local assets and how NHS and Local Authority services can complement the community support.
To provide a foundation for future research and collaboration between NIHR ARC West Midlands and Nishkam.
Methods:
The study will be qualitative and based in Birmingham with the data gathering activities focussing on three key themes:
- Older people’s understanding of ‘strengths’ which contribute to their wellbeing.
- The assets (e.g. social, financial, cultural, environmental) which contribute to these strengths.
- The role of voluntary and statutory agencies in complementing their personal assets and strengths.
- Opportunities to improve the contribution of voluntary and statutory agencies.
It will begin with interviews with around 30 older people in the Sikh community who will be recruited via Nishkam. All of the older people will have the capacity to consent to the study.
We will then hold three focus groups with frontline staff and volunteers within Nishkam and around 10 interviews with senior colleagues in Nishkam and partner organisations including local social work teams.
At the end of the project, we will organise and facilitate an reflective workshop to consider the findings of the study and consider their implications for practice.
Main Results:
Awaited.
Conclusions:
Awaited.
Implications for Implementation:
The insights from the project will help to inform how strengths-based practice can be adapted to the needs and interests of minority communities.