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human rights
Act together, uphold human rights grow curiosity, conversations, questioning

and the exploration of what is possible
because many heads together are often
more creative and powerful than one.
We need to value those around us who
have that fire in the belly – who are brave
and stick their heads above the parapet to
fight and ask what is right, and do not find
excuses to do nothing.
We launched our Reach practical guide
and the online toolkit because we are
passionate about the power of the
conversations of discovery, upholding
human rights and people living good,
ordinary lives. We are equally passionate
about the roles of supporters in doing this.
We have heard some people say that
the Reach Standards are “too”
aspirational. How can this be if they
I choose who I live with: commissioners who insist on deciding who lives with whom can be resisted embrace and keep human rights at the
forefront of our minds? If we do not want
We understand this reaction. Social care detailing the views of the people they to lose our own human rights, why is it
is full of systems that are often too heavy supported and their concerns, to be passed acceptable for this to happen to people
with rules. Cultures can undermine natural onto the commissioner making the referral. with a learning disability and/or autism?
ways of supporting someone to live a good, This realisation that they as support If what is right cannot be fully achieved
ordinary life. When people feel paralysis workers could do something to advocate for at a given moment, discuss the obstacles,
and powerlessness, there is a direct impact the people they cared about – giving them, agree what steps could reduce them and
on the quality of support and possibility. in turn, a feeling of self-value, that they keep them on the radar so they can be
In our Reach standards workshops, we had worked with integrity and they could addressed fully at the first opportunity.
encourage participants to hold tight to make a difference – kept the fire alive. As a recent report says, we need to
thinking about people’s human rights and We see people’s tiredness, sense of “understand what the barriers are [to
work in a way that carries these in our powerlessness and frustration. That is why implementing the Reach Standards] and
hearts, minds and vision. we also set up the Gr8 Support Movement develop strategies to overcome the
We encourage people to keep that fire (https://tinyurl.com/wpkhgks) to connect obstacles, not disregard them” (National
in their belly aflame and have a whole and value supporters across the country. Commissioning Board Wales, 2019). n
range of conversations at work – including We also see the effect and the power ● A Practical Guide to The Reach
ones that identify when things are not OK when people with a learning disability and/ Standards: https://tinyurl.com/sm7dref
and question why things do not feel right. or autism, families, supporters, managers ● To find out more about The REACH
We encourage conversations and thinking and commissioners come together to Standards training, contact 020 8870 8643
where people try to find solutions or at identify problems and find solutions or Gr8SUpport@paradigm-uk.org.
least little nudges in the right direction. together, no matter how small those steps
they make might be. We should never Sally Warren is managing director of
Don’t pretend things are OK underestimate the value of conversations, Paradigm; Jo Giles is a Paradigm associate
This involves people agreeing that we collaboration and commitment.
should not pretend that all is OK if it is Together, we must create cultures in our References and further reading
not. Thinking “this is the best we can do” workspaces where we encourage and National Commissioning Board Wales (2019)
Commissioning Accommodation and Support for
is the slippery slope towards collusion. a Good Life for People with a Learning Disability
Some issues can seem insurmountable in Warren S, Cooper O, Schwabenland C (2016)
the short term but, when there is space for Actions in a nutshell Playing Your Part in Creating Positive Cultures.
exploration, questioning and imagination, London: Paradigm
people always come up with actions. ● ●If values aren’t lived out in actions, O’Brien J (2014) Healing Integrity Gaps.
One group of support workers in a don’t pretend this is OK. Have those London: Paradigm
Reach standards workshop spoke of a brave conversations and be a part of
man being referred to a shared home making change happen
where two people already lived. The two ● ●Let people know they are listened to
Seán Kelly/www.seankellyphotos.com not want him to move in. ● ●Nurture support workers and their
– that their contribution matters.
people (who were non-verbal) had
communicated very clearly that they did
Involve all for an enthused culture
ability to respond to individuals
The support workers had been told the
man had to move in because the empty
●Re-think your priorities. Connect
●
room was costing money. It did not feel
with allies – engage, involve, inform
right to them. The team felt powerless.
In the workshop, they became enthused.
They decided to write to their manager
I choose my friends and my relationships
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Source: edited from Warren et al (2016) Community Living Vol 33 No 3 | Spring 2020 23