What is the project?
Brighton's project aims to aid the development of strategies in self-managed care for older people by focusing a range of interventions at a group of people living supported housing development Leach Court, in order to identify ways to prevent or delay them entering into more intensive and expensive care programmes. The project will build a better understanding of the factors that contribute to older people falling over – often the specific trigger for more intensive care. This will be done through community-focused research by the partners.
Who are the partners?
Brighton and Hove City Council, the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.
Why was this project chosen?
This project was chosen because the issues presented by adult social care cases are the city council's most significant challenge. Projected levels of demand for council services outstrip available resources and measures are being explored to support the most vulnerable residents in the city to remain as independent as possible. The project leaders spoke to over 100 academics and professionals in the city with an interest in health and social care to inform the project.
Why Brighton?
The city of Brighton & Hove is forging ahead through a City Deal for the Greater Brighton City Region. The city council has developed successful and mature working partnerships with other public service providers through the establishment of the City Management Board. It includes the most senior executive heads of service of all relevant public agencies. The City Management Board provides a solid leadership and governance infrastructure for supporting the Leading Places initiative.
Why did Brighton choose the Leading Places programme?
The Universities of Brighton and Sussex have long standing working relationships across the city with health and social care providers. However these working partnerships have been informal, and often based on individual opportunities rather than a shared corporate agenda. The Leading Places programme shines a spotlight on the potential to elevate the relationships to a more strategic level.
What are the benefits of the project?
The project goals aim to identify effective interventions on self-managed care for older people, whilst developing a working relationship between the partners that is mutually beneficial. It is hoped that the partnership will be able to overcome future challenges and build strategy together. The universities will also benefit from being able to offer students access to ‘real-life' experiential learning and the opportunity to practice their professional skills in a controlled, supported and supervised environment. The project is also expected to give academics an option to explore more detailed issues by applying for research grants based on the initial findings.
What progress has been made to date?
For an update on the progress that Brighton have made, watch the video: