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July 2008

Dimensions in Derby lead the way in person centred thinking

Support staff in Derby have been given a unique opportunity to learn the latest person centred planning tools from national leading PCP consultant, Helen Sanderson. Dimensions in Derby are one of three support providers who have been personally invited to take part in the 'Good to Great' programme – a 'person centred tool kit'.

A group of our staff have been selected as a set of coaches to attend the training - they then go back to their teams and share what they have learnt. The training is having a real effect for the lives of the people we support in the region. Neil Woodhead, who is heading Good to Great has commended the work that is happening with the people we support in the region. Lisa Orme, Area Manager for Derby says,

"The key to this training is person centred thinking - re-educating people to think in new ways, and we can see it working. From day one, new staff are learning to think in a person centred way. I know it works - people we support are making real decisions about how they want to live, using these new tools".

Adam Chilcott, one of the people we support in Derby, is on the leadership team for the Good to Great project. He is pictured here with his PATH - Adam really enjoys mobiles: "things that hang from the ceiling, not phones", in Adam's own words. Adam's PATH has been made in to a shape of a hot air balloon, with clouds for ideas. He presented his PATH at Day 5 of the Our Approach staff training – 'Making a Difference' in Derby recently, speaking of how Dimensions had help to empower him to do the things he wants to do, such as travelling to London independently, and meeting new people.

You can read more about this exciting project and its' results at
http://www.helensandersonassociates.co.uk/PDFs/Good%202%20Great%20Derby%20City.pdf

The Person centred tools that are being used can be found on www.elpnet.net

Dimensions and Adepta joining forces

Leading learning difficulty support providers Dimensions and Adepta are to merge, reinforcing Dimensions' position as the UK's second largest provider of support for people with learning difficulties and autism.

The merger – which takes effect on 1st August – will see the group expand to support over 2,000 people with learning difficulties in 57 local authority areas in England and Wales.

Talking about the merger, chief executive of Dimensions David Wolverson says: "We are delighted that Adepta is joining Dimensions."

"This is the beginning of a new journey for both organisations. In our current working environment, cost pressures are high and local authorities want us to deliver personalised services for less money. We have to reinvent ourselves to meet this personalisation agenda, and we believe that working together will make us stronger and more able to meet the needs of the people we support and their families."

A key strength of the merger is that both organisations will benefit from each other's expertise, including Adepta's autism expertise and Dimensions' expertise in transitions. Adepta's central office and support functions will be brought within Dimensions and will benefit from having a streamlined central function which will provide more localised support.

As part of the merger, chief executive of Adepta, Cedric Frederick, has chosen to leave the organisation and take up another CEO post. Chris Ingram has taken up the role of Managing Director of Adepta, while David Wolverson will continue to be overall chief executive of Dimensions.

Cedric Frederick says: "For Adepta to join forces with an organisation that has shared values and philosophies puts it in the best position to deliver its commitment to 'make a positive difference, every day, to the people we support'. The partnership with Dimensions will strengthen both organisations to enable services to thrive well into the future.

"I have brought Adepta to this merger and have now taken the decision to pursue new challenges. I am confident I leave Adepta in capable hands."