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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."

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

Transitions conference line-up announced

Dimensions is pleased to announce the coference programme for its forthcoming transitions conference 'Lost in transition? A Home of My Own'.

A key highlight will be the presentation of the findings from our long term research project 'A Home of My Own', by Dr. Pippa Murray and Dimensions' research officer Gabriella Everitt. Other speakers include Steven Bailey from Mencap talking about their NOW project, and Jean Wilson, a parent who set up one of London's first supported living services over 18 years ago.

Kate Jackson, Transitions Development Manager, says: 'This conference is essential for any professional in social services, housing or education who is working with a young person with a learning difficulty to move them into their own home. We have representatives from schools, local authority housing officers and providers sharing their best practice and innovative ideas, as well as hearing from parents and young people about their experiences of moving into their own home."

The conference is being held in central London on 26th November. Download the conference programme and booking form here.

Parent's transitions seminars "the best I've been to"

Dimensions completed it's fourth and final transitions parents' seminar yesterday in Wokingham to great praise from local parents. The organsiation has hosted four free seminars for parents with children who have a learning disability to find out what's working and not working locally, as well as to share good practice and offer advice.

"One parent said that yesterday's event was the most useful event they've been to", said Kate Jackson, Dimensions' Transition Development Manager.

"Having the right information, at the right time is especially important for parents who are about to support their son or daughter through the transition process. We discovered that this is an area that still needs improving. Even though there is a vast amount of information to hand, knowing where to get the support or information from in the first place is still a major issue for most families. I think this day was a starting point for many families and hopefully many went away feeling empowered about the possibilities for their son or daughter after they leave school or college. The 5 big questions which looked at local practice is a real starting point for us to develop real partnerships between provider, parents and local authorities."

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