Welcome to Snap News, our Spring edition newsletter.
This Issue Includes:
- Back Up Connect
- BABIBM Conference, Professional Support Workers
- Recommended Rates - Update
- Gig Buddies
- CV Webinar - Create the best CV for Professional Support Worker Jobs
- Snap Care welcomes Nicki Finn to the Snap Team
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 Back Up Connect - for people with spinal cord injuries.
Back Up Connect is a service that connects individuals who have experienced spinal cord injuries with trained volunteers who appreciate their situation, as they have also experienced a spinal cord injury.
It offers one-off conversations either over the phone or online messaging, addressing various topics related to spinal cord injuries such as bladder management, pain management, and adjusting to life post-injury.
The volunteers, called Connectors, provide support and advice based on their own experiences. It's a fast-track way to connect with someone who gets it, with no waiting list or profile creation required. If more prolonged support is needed, individuals can also register for the mentoring service.
For more information see the Back Up Website
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BABICM
Navigating the Future of Care: Insights from the BABICM Conference
I was delighted to attend the BABICM (British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers) conference on Thursday, April 25, 2024, titled "Optimising Care: Case Management in an Evolving Landscape."
As exhibitors, we enjoyed the best of both worlds: engaging with delegates and attending the enlightening talks. Each presentation was both interesting and thought-provoking.
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, adaptation and optimisation are essential. The BABICM conference addressed the challenges and opportunities facing case managers who provide optimal care for individuals with acquired brain injuries and similar disabilities. This event gathered professionals from various disciplines to share insights, best practices, and innovative approaches.
A recurring theme at the conference was the importance of collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach to care. Brain injury case management often involves a team of professionals, including physicians, therapists, social workers, solicitors - and professional support workers.
One of the most memorable and resonant talks featured a conversation between Vicki Gilman (Chair of BABICM and MD of Social Return Case Management) and Rebecca Galloway, a dedicated Professional Support Worker. Rebecca shared that she knew from her university days that she wanted to be a support worker and was determined to start from the ground up to fully understand the role.
Rebecca discussed her career progression within support work and addressed the common perception of the role as "just a support worker." When I spoke with her after the talk, she admitted she had also undervalued her profession, questioning why she was asked to speak at the conference; her first thought was, "Why would they want me to talk? I'm just a support worker." Vicki emphasised the crucial role support workers play in client support and rehabilitation, advocating for the term "Professional Support Worker" to be used—a sentiment that Snap Care wholeheartedly supports.
We are fortunate to work with some incredible Professional Support Workers whose skills and experience are exceptional. For these professionals, support work is a chosen career to which they are deeply dedicated and committed.
See Vicki’s post on LinkedIn regarding Professional Support Workers.
To see all the speaker at this excellent event, see the BABICM website
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Recommended Rates - An Update
Each year, we look at the rates for support staff to ensure they are in line with the market rates.
Rates increased considerably over the previous two years, but now seem to have stabilised.
One of the changes we have seen in the last year/18m, is the increase in the recruitment of less experienced people, who are then given training. For successful placements, all candidates must have the aptitude and desire to learn, and a genuine wish to work in this area and be committed to providing the very best support to the client to enable them to reach their potential and maximise their opportunities - attitude is key.
Our updated rates include a description of each of the roles, so they can be qualified against a level of experience. .
Click here to download our Recommended Wages from the Snap Care website.
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Stay Up Late - Gig Buddies
Stay Up Late is a small charity that started Gig Buddies, a befriending scheme that pairs volunteers and adults with learning disabilities and/or autistic people. They match individuals based on their shared hobbies and passions, which creates a deeper connection and lasting, authentic friendship. Being a buddy differs from other kinds of volunteering, as people give their time to support someone to do things they both love and often would still be doing otherwise, meaning everyone wins!
Buddies attend cultural events such as gigs, films or theatre; or get active and participate in new sports together. It is about whatever makes the pair happy and comes naturally in the friendship. The most important thing is that the pair decide what they’d like to do it and how they’re going to make it possible.
The pairs are encouraged to attend “mainstream” events and activities in order to build up connections within their community and build up their confidence. The project fills a common gap in people with learning disability and autistic people’s lives, many of whom don’t have anyone who is not a family member or someone who’s paid to be in their life.
Gig Buddies started in Brighton and Hove and now has many other projects across the UK, run with the same core values and mission. They fight for a more inclusive society that tackles isolation and makes sure everyone feels like they belong!
If you’re interested in finding out more, click here or email info@stayuplate.org
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CV Webinar
Date: Wednesday, 22nd May 2024, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Location: Online
In the first of this 3- part Candidate Webinar Series, we discuss how to create the best CV for Professional Support Worker Roles.
Working as a Professional Support Worker, is a very personal role, you will be supporting a child or adult within their own home. It is a very different to working in a supported environment, such as a school or residential care setting, and your CV needs to show you have these personal skills and attributes.
Part 1: Create the Best CV for 1:1, Professional Support Worker Roles
Part 2: Make a Job Application that will help you stand out from the crowd
Part 3: Interview skills and tips to help you get that ideal job
To book your space for Creating the Best CV, click here.
(These sessions will be recorded, register with us to be notified when the recording is available).
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Nicki Finn Joins the Snap Care Team
We were delighted to welcome Nichola (Nicki) Finn to the Snap Care team last month.
Nicki will be supporting Sally Britton, MD as her PA, allowing her to focus on business development.
We always recruit people to the Snap Care team who have great SEN/Disability experience and the right attitude, and Nicki comes with both of those; she has many years of experience both hands-on practical support and in an administrative capacity. It was an extra bonus that we already knew Nicki; we had placed her with a family back in 2014 - Nicki becomes 4th team member we have previously placed with one of our families/clients, along with Janet, Natasha and Sherry.
To read more about Nicki, see Meet the Team |
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Our newsletters are quarterly: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
If you have useful information you would like to share, please contact sally@snapcare.co.uk
Thank you!
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