The importance of lived experience in co-production

UK Disability History Month (DHM), which takes place between Wednesday 16 November and Friday 16 December, is an opportunity to discuss the history of disabled people’s fight for rights and equality.

We spoke to members of our National Advisory Forum, a group of volunteers who have lived or learned experience of disability in a social work context about their experiences. We are asking how the voices of people with disabilities are influencing and improving inclusivity and quality of service in the social work sector.

For our first Disability History Month blog, Yasmeen Abdul-Rahim tells us about her work as a person with lived experience. Yaz uses her experience of social care and knowledge as a person with a physical disability to advise and inform her local authority, and Social Work England.

Tell us about your role with Social Work England…

My role at Social Work England is as a member of the National Advisory Forum. We are a group of people with lived and learned experience of social work who act as a critical friend and co-produce the work of the organisation. I contribute as a young adult with a physical disability. I share my experience of social work and social care. This includes housing, employment, education and the transition from children’s to adult’s services.

Why do you think roles like person with lived experience or National Advisory Forum members are important?

These roles give people a voice and an opportunity to share their knowledge and understanding of social work and social care. We help to shape current and future services. We have expertise of services from receiving them and we can use that to inform your work.

What is your role within the local authority?

My current role is an admin assistant with Early Help at Rutland County Council. I got my job from doing a supported internship with the Council from 2015 to 2016. The internship was a positive experience, I enjoyed working with people and learning on the job. I work on the front desk of the youth centre and have helped with the youth groups. This included running activities, motivating the young people, supporting them to complete evaluations, and planning meetings as part of the leadership team.

Tell us about your work with Rutland Disabled Youth Forum…

We are a group of young people aged 13-25 with different disabilities. We make our voices heard on issues relating to services, facilities and accessibility in and around Rutland by feeding back to relevant organisations. We meet once a month, meetings are free so that they’re accessible to members. We discuss a different topic each month and there’s volunteers to support the group.

What are the biggest challenges facing social workers working with disabled young people today?

I think one of the biggest challenges is being able to communicate effectively. That includes ensuring that emails, letters and documents can be easily understood.

Also, putting young people at the centre of their care is important. Often it is parents and carers who end up taking the lead instead because it is seen as “quicker”, but this removes the young person’s power and autonomy. I think it’s also a challenge that young people often don’t want to engage with social workers and services in general – I don’t think there’s an easy solution to that.

What would you like adult social work and care services to be most aware of when receiving someone who is transitioning from children's services?

I’d like them to be aware that even though they’re now adults, they’re still young people. They often need opportunities to meet other young people to build relationships and develop their self-esteem and confidence. I’d also like them to be aware that communication is key, and that people value being given choice in their care. We benefit from being supported to develop skills to prepare for adulthood, either with training or workshops.

How could society change to better support disabled children and young people?

Disabled children and young people would benefit from having more accessible facilities, people having more awareness of disabilities and having more inclusive clubs and activities. More broadly, we need to be given the same opportunities as our non-disabled peers.

Earlier this year, Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement, and a social worker herself, wrote that “social workers champion people’s rights and support those that are often marginalised” in a blog about taking action on equality, diversity and inclusion.

She went on to say: “The social work profession, with its values and principles of anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice, is uniquely placed to lead the way in achieving equality in all aspects of society.”

In our next Disability History Month interview, we will be speaking to Rachel Clawson, who is an associate professor at the University of Nottingham, and a qualified social worker experienced in working with children and adults with learning disabilities who have been abused.

For more information on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at Social Work England, you can read our statement of intent and EDI action plan.

If you need support for any of the issues discussed in this article, these organisations may be able to help you.