Childhood, Compassion, Care, Resilience #CCCR

Many words would describe a environment that supports development, encourages growth and learning, listens, shares, and celebrates achievements.
The idea that a health environment should incorporate these, enabled me and directed me to a career in care, in compassion- to offer support when C&YP and their families needed it the most.
It began in acute nursing, and took in early years, primary health, child protection, and paediatric palliative care.
I have been a care giver and received care, and had the opportunity to make a difference at the very beginning of life and at the very end- and feel humbled and honoured to have done so.
This week I have thought a lot about Person Centred Care, about compassion, the roles I have worked within and the teams and fellow colleagues I have worked alongside.
I was thrilled to attend my first debate at London's South Bank University, with fellow colleagues and professionals working in and interested in the NHS, and posed the question "Is Health and Social Care person centred?" , it was also a huge pleasure to meet Kath Evans, and John Walsh.
I wanted to share my views, the experiences of care, and what I felt PCC ( person centred care) was.
I listened intently, to both sides of the debate, I acknowledge the need for changes, and that this should be recognised, the impact a reduction in services and staff can have on PCC, but more importantly the impact on the child, the young person and their families.

It was an impassioned debate.
So I came away thinking about a PCC 10 point Care List, which can easily be added to-this is with C&YP and their families in mind, but is multi patient use.
Its like the 6C's- a extension of it.
These are some of the things I think about when I approach and work alongside C&YP.

• Being present in the moment.
• Listening to the thoughts of C&YP and those they may share.
• Observing behaviour and the reaction you give, how you communicate your reaction.
• Individual needs
• Support
• Care
• Respect
• Plan
• Sharing
• Recognition

It was also an important week on the ward.
 For some time we have wanted to acknowledge some of the issues raised by C&YP - some of the issues they find the most difficult to cope with during the sometimes bumpy road through adolescence, the things important to them.
It is difficult sometimes to imagine the impact a loss of confidence can have, a lost friend, isolation and workload.
With the help of literature from Young Minds UK, and PAPYRUS, and a much better artist then me! ( Lucy U ROCK!)
Here is our Resilience display- with our very own "Bucket of Well-Being"
We adapted this - so it highlighted key elements shared with us.

 

This is collaborative working at its best, Specialised Play and Education.
Supporting new ideas, ways to communicate and support new ideas, just because we have always done it, does not mean things cannot change and be developed.
This week- Things I have learnt...................

1. Kindness
2. Trainable Triangle of Care.
3. The need to change and recognise the change.
4. Sharing and celebrating achievements.
5. Listen to patients voices, and experiences.

My word of the week.... Communication 
My share forward resource........ www.mefirst.org.uk
My thought......... How quickly we forget the magic of Childhood.

Sian Spencer-Little
with thanks to Lucy Haslam.