Carlow College played host to the annual Social Care Ireland Disability Special Interest Group (SIG) Conference last Friday, 8th November with almost 80 Social Care practitioners, students and service users from across Ireland in attendance.
The theme for this year’s conference explored supported decision making and where social care workers practice currently sits when it comes to the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Opening the conference was a keynote from Áine Flynn, Director of the Decision Support Service who outlined the key provisions of the Act, guiding principles, how can become a decision supporter and decision support arrangements.
Speaking at the conference, Áine said: “it’s a real pleasure to be here today for Social Care Ireland’s Disability Special Interest Group event. They were such a well-informed audience and so committed to the objectives and purposes of the the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act. It’s been so encouraging to see and really encouraging to also see the input of experts by experience – there’s no substitute for that”.
Vice Secretary for the Disability SIG and Carlow College Lecturer in Applied Social Studies, Antonia Kenny, highlighted the critical role Social Care Workers will play in this area, stating: “we are in a position, where we can support vulnerable people with making valuable and meaningful decisions in, and throughout their lives”
Sharing of Lived Experiences
Exploring the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities was a core component of the conference with a keynote advocacy facilitator Josephine McLoughlin and self-advocacy group Social Ability Group for persons with Intellectual Disability, who shared valuable insights of the challenges and triumphs faced by people with intellectual disabilities and the importance of inclusive decision-making practices.
The conference also had presentations on Assisted Decision Making within a community service setting from Ciara Palmer, Quality Patient Safety Advisor for Disability Services and Assisted Decision Making in the Health Service Executive, as well as the professional experience of a Social Care Worker from Michelle Carter, Trainer in Positive Ageing in Intellectual Disability.
CPD for Social Care Workers
The professional registration of Social Care Workers with CORU means they have a professional obligation to engage in CPD. The area of supported decision making had been specifically identified by Social Care Ireland as an area requiring attention and upskilling for Social Care Workers. Speaking of the professional registration, Antonia said: “I, myself, officially became registered with CORU today as a Social Care Worker and see the value of continuing to upskill through CPD throughout my career.”
