BlueSalmonAn online resource for service user self-assessment and portable support planning

Gerard LemosPartner, Lemos&Crane

Portable support plans and self-assessment for vulnerable

people

Difficulties with normal support planning

• Time constraints: meetings are often brief and infrequent

• Practical considerations: conversation dominated by benefits, drugs and alcohol

• Support worker skills: often not trained in raising sensitive topics

• Service user confidence: may be uncomfortable talking about private matters

• Client-support worker dynamic: support planning sessions get in a rut and don’t move forward

Normal support planning

Leads support planning

Support worker Client

Directs andcontrols

Limited input

Action plan

An online resource that enables people to describe for themselves how they want their

lives to change and to find practical assistance in reaching their goals.

• Supported by City Bridge Trust• Prototype development in association with

Thames Reach

What is BlueSalmon?

What is BlueSalmon?

• Key features for clients:– Identifying goals: structured interactive

modules on identity, relationships and family and friends

– Getting support: powerful action planning tool helps user find assistance each step of the way

• Key features for organisations:– Oversight: Support workers can see action

plans if given permission– Organisational planning: Aggregate data is

available for all users

Support planning with BlueSalmon

Client

BlueSalmonaction plan

directs and controls

Family

Friends

Support worker

Partner

information about client’s goals

providesupport

Key features of BlueSalmon

• An account for life• Safe and fully confidential• Easy-to-use and customizable interface• Accessible 24/7• User can proceed at their own pace• Saves and recalls all previous work• Comprehensive ‘help’ facility

Structured interactive modules

• Identity– Finding new interests and ambitions– Building confidence and self-esteem

• Relationships– Developing loving partnerships– Finding somebody new

• Family and friends– Becoming closer to people important to you– Making new friends

Action planning tool

• Choose goals from the modules or add your own

• Break goals down into their component steps• Assign support for each goal – from a support

worker or somebody else• Share the action plan with:

– Support worker– Partner, family members and friends– Other service users

Support worker oversight

• Clients can complete the modules on their own or with their support worker’s help

• Clients can give permission for their support worker to see their action plans online

• Support workers can use the BlueSalmon action plan as the basis of the support planning meeting– What are the service user’s priorities?– What support does the service user need to

reach their goals?

Organisational planning

Client Client ClientClient

Support organisation

Aggregate data

Unlimited number of BlueSalmon

accounts

Data is made anonymous

Accountsfor life

Informs planningand policy

Annual subscription

Demonstration of BlueSalmon

Questions and feedback