I have had 2 articles published in specialist social care journals, summarising 2 pieces of ground breaking work I lead for Coventry City Council.
Leading the change from adult protection to safeguarding adults: more than just semantics

Title:Leading the change from adult protection to safeguarding adults: more than just semantics
Author:Andrew Reece, (Coventry City Council)
Abstract: In many if not most areas of England, there has been a significant change in the language used to describe work with vulnerable adults. Most local councils have evolved their language from ‘protecting’ to ‘safeguarding’ vulnerable adults. This paper will argue that unless this is accompanied by a change in practice and focus, this will be a hollow change in semantics and will not improve the life chances of disabled people. By defining safeguarding as opposed to protection, it is suggested how Councils could frame the change process needed to ensure that the move from protection to safeguarding is real and not hollow.
Author:Andrew Reece, (Coventry City Council)
Abstract: In many if not most areas of England, there has been a significant change in the language used to describe work with vulnerable adults. Most local councils have evolved their language from ‘protecting’ to ‘safeguarding’ vulnerable adults. This paper will argue that unless this is accompanied by a change in practice and focus, this will be a hollow change in semantics and will not improve the life chances of disabled people. By defining safeguarding as opposed to protection, it is suggested how Councils could frame the change process needed to ensure that the move from protection to safeguarding is real and not hollow.
The Social Care System: Beyond Repair or Missing Vital Parts?

Title:The Social Care System: Beyond Repair or Missing Vital Parts?
Author:Andrew Reece, (Coventry City Council)
Abstract: Putting People First and the Social Care Reform Grant have been presented as ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities to get the ‘broken’ social care system fit for purpose. There is a risk that the guidance attached to the reform grant will force councils to focus on the transformation of processes and systems, rather than on what really matters, the transformation of the lives of disabled people. Like in Control, Putting People First locates the problem in ‘resource allocation’ and proposes that councils develop new systems to improve this. An alternative view is that the transformation of the lives of disabled people can be delivered by improvements in the components of the current system. How these improvements can be funded is also considered.
Author:Andrew Reece, (Coventry City Council)
Abstract: Putting People First and the Social Care Reform Grant have been presented as ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities to get the ‘broken’ social care system fit for purpose. There is a risk that the guidance attached to the reform grant will force councils to focus on the transformation of processes and systems, rather than on what really matters, the transformation of the lives of disabled people. Like in Control, Putting People First locates the problem in ‘resource allocation’ and proposes that councils develop new systems to improve this. An alternative view is that the transformation of the lives of disabled people can be delivered by improvements in the components of the current system. How these improvements can be funded is also considered.