As Chapter Two of the Care and Support Statutory An asset-based/ strengths-based Guidance makes clear, Section 2 of the Care Act is approach about ensuring the provision of a range of services that prevent, reduce or delay the need for care and Several FOI responses and joint health and wellbeing support. strategies mentioned moving towards ‘an asset- based approach’. The information and advice developments referred to within responses centre upon use of the internet. The terms ‘strengths-based approach’ and ‘asset- The focus upon internet-based information based approach’ are often used interchangeably. and advice is concerning. Section 4 of the Care The Care and Support Statutory Guidance uses Act is clear that information and advice must be the terminology ‘strengths-based approach’ and ‘accessible to, and proportionate to the needs of, instructs local authorities to ‘consider what else 37 those to whom it is being provided’. other than the provision of care and support might assist the person in meeting the outcomes they want The ONS Quarterly Internet Access Update in 2014 to achieve’ when carrying out assessments. In doing identified a huge discrepancy between younger and so, ‘authorities should consider the person’s own older generations’ use of the internet. While only strengths and capabilities, and what support might one per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds had never used be available from their wider support network or the internet, 63 per cent of the over 75s had never 38 within the community to help.’ been online. This approach should be centered on the individual, As recognised by Lewisham in their FOI response, co-production and maximizing independence. It internet-based information and advice will not must not be seen as a default alternative to be accessible or proportionate to the needs of a statutory services. Most importantly, family and significant group of users and potential users of friends should not be expected and must not be social care: pressured to take on caring responsibilities. The statutory guidance notes: ‘Despite its ever-growing use of technology and its potential to transform the way we do business to ‘Any suggestion that support could be available from be of benefit to everyone, we need to be mindful family and friends should be considered in light of their that the Digital Inclusion Charity ‘Go On’ estimates appropriateness, willingness and ability to provide any that 23% of UK adults still don’t possess the basic additional support and the impact on them of doing digital skills necessary to take advantage of it. For so. It must also be based on the agreement of the this reason Lewisham is now working with ‘Go On’, 40 adult or carer in question.’ starting by undertaking a series of ‘deep dives’ or work with residents to understand more about the A strengths-based approach should also recognise barriers and enablers to digital inclusion.’ the value of the voluntary sector and community groups. Local authorities recognise this: about a third of the responses to question 1, highlighted Recommendations: the importance of working with the voluntary > Local authorities should clearly distinguish and community sector. between their separate duties to provide As reflected in the FOI responses, local authorities information and advice and to provide are increasingly looking to the voluntary sector and preventative services within their local plans community groups to carry out a variety of functions, and strategies. from promoting wellbeing to providing lower-level > Local authorities must be mindful that many preventative support to those whose needs don’t adults and older people do not have the basic meet the eligibility threshold. skills to use the internet. 38. Department of Health (October 2015), Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Chapter 6 (6.63) 39. “Co-production” is when an individual influences the support and services received, or when groups of people get together to influence the way that services are designed, commissioned and delivered. Such interventions can contribute to developing individual resilience and help promote self reliance and independence, as well as ensuring that services reflect what the people who use them want.’ (Department of Health (October 2015), Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Chapter 2 (2.20)) 40. Department of Health (October 2015), Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Chapter 6 (6.4) British Red Cross Prevention in action [email protected] l l 17