Creating Person-Centred Organisations

Stirk and Sanderson have really brought to life the concept of personalisation in its more holistic form. Their systemic analysis of what constitutes a person-centred organisation incorporates familiar theory about managing change, valuing people and remaining committed to the outcomes determined by service users and the community themselves. It is refreshing to see how the practical realities of this journey are tangible and the authors make it clear that being person-centred is more than just empty rhetoric. Based on personal experience, expertise and evaluation, I found the advice, tips and recommendations invaluable. This book is essential for leaders at all levels of the organisation and for those interested in fostering genuine participation in developing and delivering services from the bottom up! -- Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Middlesex University and co- author of How to Become a Better Manager in Social Work and Social Care: Essential Skills for Managing Care The book is (...) wonderfully rich in ideas... There is much in the 300-plus pages of this book to help you, and it is well worth buying as a comprehensive toolkit. -- Caring Times The unique person-centered approach described in the book is a very welcome contribution to reference manuals for people working in mental health services. Every condition is very thoroughly examined with remarkable insight into living with and seeking solutions to psychological disorders in collaboration with mental health practitioners. The strength of the insights is that it addresses behavioural aspects of mental illness in a non-judgemental and sensitive way. The discussions of each disorder provide excellent and thoughtful explanations of living with mental imbalances... The book contains no quick fixes, but rather concentrates on the growth and development of individuals collaborating with mental health providers in person-centered relationships. -- The International Journal of Person Centered Medicine It is a treasure-trove of good ideas which social workers will find useful in their day-to-day practice - for example, person-centred reviews and guidance on Individual Service Funds. -- Professional Social Work The book aims to define what person-centred practice means in organisation which aspire to deliver personalised services... The checklists in each chapter describe both the detail of what we expect to see in a person-centred organisation and they also give readers an opportunity to celebrate areas of responsibility that are being delivered well and to think about areas where development might occur... This person-centred approach on one-to-one , focuses on there being opportunities for appreciation and feedback and reflection on progress and learning and an opportunity for shared problem-solving... Person-centred practices enable teams to deliver, at their best, in ways that work for everyone... The concluding chapter summarises the book so well that it alone could be used as the principles of good practice... If people working in health and social care use the tools and techniques provided by Stephen Stirk and Helen Sanderson, then they will have a multitude of options to take their organisation forward to become truly person-centred. -- European Journal for Person Centered Healthcare (EJPCH)