Somewhere to 'Think Outside the Box', or 'Get Out Your Box' entirely - Be Our Guest If you think that being 'middle of the road', part of a majority makes you 'normal' think again; it makes you average - normal is the whole range of possibilities
Survivors Groups: These are a guide and an introduction and will be reviewed and updated. Get a sense of empowerment and see the impact these groups can have. Start your own on group locally, for any common problem. We will help you and publicise.
For further examples, use the reserved Search Engine below to search 'Survivor Groups' or 'Mental Health Survivors', 'Sexual Abuse Survivors', etc.
CDS Link The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) helps people who are under police investigation, or facing criminal charges.
NOTE:
This Document is still at some stage of development. You are invited to respond and comment on its content and its logic. If you return to the document at a future date, you will be able to see its continued development, hopefully reflecting your own and others commentary.
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Copyright:
Although you will see very few reference to other formal writings in this document, I acknowledge general recognition to the discussions and debates that I have had with students, practitioners and clients over the years. Most of the ideas and theory has evolved through this rather pragmatic process (operational research), rather than any formal reading.
If any content of this document describes concepts, theory, or ideas that have been established else where, (prior to my writing, either here or else where - in part or in full), I acknowledge their entitlement to claim them as their intellectual property for financial purposes, if they can evidence this. I also reserve the right to retain them as my intellectual property, with due recognition to those who have made direct contributions, including other writers, should I identify such a past influences.
Other than this, I invite you to share and copy any content, to the benefit of intellectual debate and the benefit of individuals and groups, without restriction, other than it be used for constructive purpose, in the wider context of my writing.
Should you wish to use any material presented here 'as is', I ask that you then make reference to myself and the web site. The 'Reading Date' would be a useful 'publishing date' for the Current Edition. 1980 is the core publishing date for most of the basic ideas and theory (unless stated otherwise).
This 'Reading Date' may be an important part of this 'reference', as the document (by its 'internet fluid' nature) will be constantly changing and this may affect meaning and interpretation, for those following up on such a reference at a later date.
Note: The longer sentences that follow are deliberate and represent 'complete concepts' which are important for a fuller understanding.
'Assertion Versus Aggression'
In an institutional & professional culture of fear, we have become a little paranoid about the anger we experience from people 'out in the big bad world'.
Safe working practices are not just about being safe 'out there'. Sometimes the biggest threat to our health and wellbeing is from work pressures and the fear of failure of competencies; 'in house'.
Assertive behaviours are used within management styles and in some clinical practices. If we stick with the original 'therapeutic' purpose of 'Assertive Techniques', that's fine and it works well.
Like all well developed, powerful ideas, any therapeutic technique can be corrupted and used to more destructive and disabling purpose. It is a very dishonest and extant 'bullying' practice.
'Assertive Styles' can also be used to 'disable' communication; 'invalidate' alternative perspectives; 'restrict' choice; least restrictive solutions; 'gag' the raising of valid concerns, &/or 'undermine' a person's attempts to register criticism and valid complaint.
In doing this, such techniques become 'abusive'. They are actually more abusive than natural expressions of 'anger & aggression' and often generate the 'anger' which is then seen as 'threatening'.
Learn the difference here. Learn the difference and avoid being seen as culpable for the negative consequences that we will increasingly be highlighted in many professional practices in the future.
'Expectations & Opportunity'
During research that I undertook with Professor Elliott Jaques (Brunel University, 1975-1984) we discovered how powerful people's expectations were in colouring the potential for recovery and enablement, from any physical or mental infirmity, or social disablement.
The 'expectations' that an individual has for themselves and those that others have for them, can be both enabling, or disabling in there effects. It is possible to see the very real effects of particularly low and overly high expectations.
'Risk averse' practices have severely disabled some people, by limiting the opportunities they have available to them; to progress through normal life learning experiences.
Supervised 'risk engaging' learning opportunities are critical to anyone capable of taking any independent actions; to which they are entitled, if physically able and motivated.
Anyone potentially capable of taking physical actions, on their own initiative, should be provided opportunity for normal life risk engagements, as part of their learning experience.
The avoidance of 'risk', by restricting opportunities for anyone capable, or inclined to take any initiative, is very dangerous and is also overly 'restrictive'.
The ability to 'take initiatives' is normally a good indicator of capability and the potential to learn from experience. It also evidences the possibility that they 'will' take actions that may put them at risk in the future (You cannot 'imprison').
Failure to provide appropriate 'life learning' opportunities for someone with capability to take initiative where they can engage with and learn from potential risks, is a serious failure of duty. There are no excuses & very few exceptions.
Anger & aggression are misunderstood in professional circles. Bad attitudes are 'maintained' and sometimes anger is induced. In mental health, this is sometimes used to 'evidence' mental breakdown. .
Institutional Opacity - We need 'Transparency'
Many professionals, from OT's & GP's to Consultants, from Care Workers to Executive Managers, are finding their professional autonomy severely undermined, while accountability increases.
This situation is worsening, as front end resources (relative to the needs) are effectively reduced. Professionals are now becoming their own 'data processing administrators', on incompetent IT systems.
Why are we pretending the problem is one of 'efficiency' at the customer interface? The audit systems are flawed and Customers will be 'more' at risk from the consequential delays and inadequacies.
The modern auditing trend almost ensures the right boxes are ticked, but does not ensures people are adequately supported, especially early on, before an avoidable crisis (Assess, Record, Justify actions).
'Playing Safe', by meeting politically motivated criteria, is a very expensive way of providing services and produces increasingly disabled, dependent and disempowered people. (No time to 'think').
The result; unhappy & stressed managers, professionals, customers, carers, communities and anyone who makes a contribution to these expensive ways of doing things; which produce further problems.
We often work within a culture which Talks the Talk, but is disabled from Walking the Walk. A culture that 'speaks' to the media, but does not 'connect' with the ordinary person (or satisfy their complaints).
Mission Statements that impress those who do not need services, but effectively lies to those that do need them. Institutions that have 'best of intentions', but most very disabling methods for implementing them.
Bullet Point & Headline systems for recording and justifying actions (an inactions) and costs, which have little substance and rarely cover the backs of professional institutions, when things inevitably go wrong.
'Management Styles'
Having taken the trouble to take our initiatives from good commercial business practices, why are we still operating the management styles of Woolworths and Iceland Bank?
Why are some institutions and individual managers, modelling their styles on those of 'The Apprentice' and 'Gordon Ramsey', rather than Richard Branson (Virgin), Bill Gates (Microsoft) & entrepreneurial companies like Intel (Moors Law fame)?
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We are interested in the Highs & Lows of Work & Life. The Inspired Services and the frustrations. Voluntary & Community Experiences of all kinds. We are all in the same boat. Sharing experiences is therapeutic. It informs and inspires others. It also informs & challenges good Service Providers:
Also visit our VISITWEB Magazine Check out the Features via the Links on the right ->>>>. Headlines and Articles are in the links at the top right column. Some of these stories will 'be transferred to the 'Your Choice' Magazine.
This site will eventually focus upon the Health & Social Care Issues, Advice, Therapies, Techniques, Recoveries & Theory.
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Because of technical problems and hacking, we have had to re-start our Forum Pages. We are keeping it simple. If you want to chat about problems on-line, use our chat space. You can open your own chat-room and keep it 'open' or make it private.
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A CHALLENGE TO THOSE WHO THINK THEY MAY KNOW BETTER: (Reply to: terry@visitweb.org)
Open Invite: If you fundamentally and intelligently disagree with anything published on this site, its sister sites, or any accredited links, please submit your arguments for publication. We will give anyone a fair hearing, provided it is not abusive in content; But be warned, we have heard most of the counter arguments already and are well prepared with sound evidence, theory and rational arguments. All the topics covered here are always open to debate & challenge. I would also appreciate 'typo' corrections and request for clarity - I have Dyslexia.
Most of what we write here is 'original thinking', not regurgitation. We rarely deal in opinions - we operate from the basis of substantiated facts, fundamental principles , rigorous thinking and direct, experiential evidence - this is a different order of understanding. Some say things will never change. This is a self fulfilling prophesy - we challenge that assumption. Human adaptation wills that natural social order will prevail, for those who 'collectively' survive. Evolution did not end with Darwin.
Change is inevitable and the most important changes comes from within. So; get out of the new road if you can't lend a hand, for the order is rapidly fading; the times they are a changing. Adapt or become extinct, like our Neanderthal ancestors. They provided our 'red in tooth and claw', emergency backup to the advanced forms of social adaptation and cooperation. It is time to defeat and tame the Neanderthal within. Fight against ignorance, prejudice & every form of abuse. See Genetics Unplugged
For Your Choice - Special Topic Searches: (Irrelevant items filtered out)
Is someone you know, or work with, (and just as important - you) being Bullied, Humiliated, Abused, or Prejudiced Against? Even subtle abuses can be devastating.
Whichever Way, Where Ever, Whatever Sex, Job, Faith, or Culture and at Whenever Age. Abuse of any kind is completely unacceptable? Stop it now! Here we consider the child, but any adult from any background & age suffer serious abuses which affect their physical and mental health.
Lots of people are abused and most just sit, or lay and take it. It causes serious mental and physical ill health, now and later. It disrupts your life and stops you progressing and thriving. Men are also abused; almost as often as women. Both men a women can become abusive and the more subtle forms creep up on us and can have profound effects.
Child Abuse & Neglect - There are long term consequences, whatever we do.
Kelsey's Law (Considering Baby 'P'): Children often bring out the best in us, but can also bring out the worst. As professionals, we have to balance the child's wider needs within a family, against immediate risks. We come with biases, these are unavoidable and always have consequences.
No one said it would be easy. When a child survives abuse and neglect, there are still long term effects, even when children are removed from their families. No one said this was simple. The chance of getting things wrong, for the long term, is 'high'. Assuming we got it right is arrogant.
This is 'Everybody's Business'. Communities that have effectively been destroyed for commercial and other vested interests, need rebuilding - Professionals played a part in creating dependencies and now barely fill the gaps. Just because we are there, it is assumed we can 'sort it'.
We now live in a 'culture of 'Blame'. 'STOP'. Everyone, at every level must take responsibility, including the reliance upon a prescriptive and often arrogant legal profession. The biggest problem is fear; fear that professional's will overreact to early disclosures. We often have!
Much of what you will read on this site could apply your Clients & Patients in some way. It can also apply to yourself, now or later; Recognise the signs of what is happening and get it stopped. It is people with the Strongest Wills, the Most Caring, Socially Aware & Thoughtful, that become 'Victims'.
It is the self-interested, bombastic, least considerate, fearful and weakest willed, who become Bullies, Abusive and neglectful. Size and strength makes little difference. "Stay as sweet as you are, but don't remain a target" - for anyone.
We are lucky in many ways, we survived our childhoods, some didn't; Survivors have answers, but those who didn't survive tell their own silent stories. The legal arguments and apportioning of blame is less important than understanding the contributions and failings of everyone involved. This is a human condition.
Kelsey's Law: These issues are not just the responsibility of Parents. All Parent have their baggage. Some were damaged, distressed & neglected; we all need positive help at times in our lives. Other people can just be selfish and indifferent to suffering (some people will always be).
Caution is needed, it is too easy to assign blame and judge. In the end it is children who suffer, whatever action we take. Some live on to suffer in adulthood, resenting naive professional interventions. We need to listen to Survivors and also understand the perpetrators.
It is 'Everybody's Business' to make this all work. We must regain the trust of ordinary people and stop treating children as the legal possessions and responsibilities of parents alone. Wider families and communities are potential networks of positive support.
The Human Right of 'everybody' are important in bringing up our children and this involves big responsibilities. The over-prioritisation of a mother's entitlements and responsibilities, created serious problems; problems that affected Kelsey's and Baby P's short lives.
We are so focused on 'evidence' these days. Much as evidence is important, it is always interpreted through our relatively limited experiences. Intelligent understanding is also required.
Nothing is as simple as it seems, Stop the cycle of neglect and abuse that we all contribute towards, within our families, communities and cultures - listen past and through the anger of survivors of abuses and neglect - Videos.
Are you feeling Distressed, Depressed, Anxious, Fearful, or Paranoid?
These fears can take over and rule our lives. They are the social consequences of abuse, neglect and institutional prejudices. This affects professionals as much as it does out Clients and Patients. Pride gets in the way of acknowledgment.
These are initially, quite natural reactions to distressing circumstances. Recognise that these 'symptoms' are your head telling you to get something important sorted, or that you need a break, before your body suffers. Mental breakdown can be recognised as a natural way to stop us from continuing to work at 'emergency levels', until our body fails us.
Many institutional demands are abusive in character and squeezes the last ounce out of us, in the name of efficiency, duty, protecting the public purse and making savings, etc. That is not usually the intention. No one disputes the need to be more effective & efficient. We can all enjoy the praise that comes with our part in improved efficiencies, etc..
It is the persistent pretence that everything is due to the inefficiencies of the person 'down the line' (Chicken Pecking Order) that causes these problems. It is the constant felt-failures that distress; persistent criticisms that depresses, and threats of culpability that makes us fearful. Being lied to, deceived and projected on-to, is what makes us paranoid .
Don't tolerate this culture of Blame. Put A Stop to it - Do yourself, your clients, you patients, your colleagues and your managers a favour. We are all in the same boat and need to stop passing the buck like this. This is a modern day 'Health and Safety' issue and is seriously affecting health and staffing levels everywhere.
Watch for the signs and don't ignore them. If you ignore what your head is telling you, your body usually suffers in the end. Don't kid yourself, your greatest strength can end up being your greatest weakness. Sticking with stressful and anxious situations is for emergencies only. It is great that you are strong enough to survive so well and for so long, but: Don't make a career of it. Just as important - don't allow these experiences to be identified as 'incompetence', life is stressful enough, work pressures on top of life pressures are 'disabling'.
If you can begin to understand how these circumstances and processes can affect you, you will have a much better insight into what affects our clients and patients, whatever the social problem. There experience will never be the 'same' as ours, but will have similar consequences, or worse. They live under these same pressures and sometime worse. I work within the principles of 'ordinary therapy'. Every intervention can have a healing effects, if wee seek to understand the circumstances.
Mental Health and Safety - A Serious Employment Issue; with responsibilities ignored.
'Mental Health and Safety', at work, play & just going about your business. Work Stress can be enjoyable or Disabling. Watch for the sudden switch. Sometime it can creeps up on us, especially when working under emergency conditions. Highlighting The Psychological & Emotional Components of Health & Safety
Like so often, in so many circumstances, there are many misunderstandings of issue like those of Health & Safety. In Civil Law, we all have entitlements and obligations to help ensure our own and other people's health and safety.
We usually understand these entitlements to a reasonable degree, unless we are vulnerable for some reason of health, or social circumstances. However, there are some areas of risk where we do not fully appreciate these entitlements. People can then suffer serious consequences, which no amount of financial compensation can correct. We are educated to be embarrassed about mental health issues.
The costs, to ourselves and to others (through taxes), for these 'failures of duty' of various kinds, are quite considerable. These costs are not just in terms of processing and payment of compensation claims they generate (which are directly, or indirectly paid by us all). Some costs arise out of the wide range of disabilities created and the subsequent absences from work. These have to be compensated for, in terms of expensive support and therapeutic services; the cost of person-hours lost and work impact on the remaining employees.
How to Proceed (Scroll down or click here to open in New Window):
These 'risk' factors overlap with issues of abuse and prejudice at work and are covered by further Employment Law. Make your stand, even if you have to use 'constructive dismissal', or 'unfair dismissal', as your escape routes, in order to protect yourself more fully; but - Get good legal advice. Search for someone with the skills to do an effective job, but always remember; it is your own and others, life and wellbeing and therefore it is ultimately your Human Rights and Responsibilities that at are stake here.
In an Audited, Blaming and Litigious fearing culture, there are significant pressures to identify those not pulling their weight and yet, those that do so are often compromised by failing health. With all the increasing evidence to indicate the strongest possible links between stress and serious physical, as well as mental ill health, employees are still identified as 'weak' and 'incompetent' when these problems arise. Psychological impact is a wonderful 'cover' for Institutional failures of the 'duty of care'.
Psychological consequences have a profound effect upon recovery and yet we often add to this; the burden of 'blaming' styles of working. It is a pass the buck, chicken-pecking-order style of avoiding accountability and culpability. It also means that everyone, including the accusers, remain working under unhealthy conditions, with serious Health & Safety implications. Mental Breakdown is a wonderful cover for intuitional failures - everyone assumes the person is 'weak'. Even the 'victim' eventually believe this. WRONG - Read Why (Click Here).
Meet the Founder of Relativistic Psychology All things Really are Relative - The need for critical reflection is incumbent on Professionals and Professional Institutions.
According to Albert Einstein: "Only two things are Infinite; 'The Universe' and 'Human Stupidity'; and I am not too sure about the former". Albert Einstein developed a radically new perspective on the Universe. It revolutionised our understanding of its nature and opened the door to the new technologies we enjoy. He thought outside the box.
He also instigated a new perspective on Human Perception and Thinking: 'Relativistic Psychology'. In his lifetime he experienced the progressive undermining of Human Rights & Dignity in Nazi Germany and USA. He saw how ordinary people, doing as they were told, without question, destroyed or undermine a State and abused its people.
Niemoeller became an advocate for world piece and 'Spoke Out', along with Albert Einstein (Physicist & Humanitarian), Linus Pauling (Quantum Chemist & Peace Activist) and Albert Schweitzer (Ethics Philosopher & Humanitarian). Were these 'Conspiracy Theorists', or just Intelligent, Insightful people with a Social Conscience? Read Pastor Niemoeller's words - these are a general warning to us all.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"; Edmund Burke. He also said "A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation"; Progress is the advance over 'doing nothing'.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear".Nelson Mandela. It takes courage to 'Speak up' amidst the fear of condemnation & ridicule.
There are a great number of clever people with substantial knowledge about relatively limited areas of human understanding. These undoubtedly intelligent people see themselves as experts in their field. Unfortunately they often have very little knowledge about other, significant areas of human endeavour. The result is a highly distorted and fragmented picture of 'normality'. This expertise is tantamount to a form of ignorant arrogance. You are often being duped and it is wholly appropriate that you remain sceptical about expert opinions. Some do make a small contributions to the progress of human understanding and welfare, but are usually proven to be largely wrong in the end; "Sometime you can know too much about things of relatively little importance". Terry Couchman.
There’s another storm brewing in mental health – this time in the name of Marion Aslan. It’s time to speak out against the “bastardisation” of the recovery concept. Every NHS trust, mental health organisation and user group has embraced recovery. Marion has worked in mental health for 15 years and argues that not only have any emancipatory aspirations to recovery been lost, but that radical service users have “sold out” to a diluted version of recovery.
Substantial & Critical Needs and Risks - Community Care Assessments are failing.
Lets stop kidding ourselves; Social Care & Health Services are in Crisis, which is due to get worse in the next two years, whatever we do in response to the Budget Crisis. The resources are not adequate and they are often used ineffectively, with too few (and often reducing numbers of) professional staff, with increasing administrative demands, reducing admin support, less locally available services and poor transport access to these increasingly centralised services. Critical Funds are used up in Bureaucracy.
You are less likely to get an appropriate 'empowering' services if: You live in social housing and have a down to earth way of expressing yourself; have in any way expressed yourself angrily; made frustrated (even unprovoked) threats; made repeated complaints; if your needs and concerns are disabling, but not deemed as 'Critical or Substantial' (in a particular respect); if you have multiple problems that are physically, mentally or socially disabling you, but no single problem is seen as critical or substantial by any one of the specialist services. Basically, for many officials, it is about whether your face fits. It is a 'one size fits all, off the peg culture'. 'If it is good enough for everybody else then its good enough for you'. Problem is 'Its not good enough'.
You are more likely to get a service you do not want if: You are also very likely to get a service that you insist that you do notwant. If you are deemed by a professional, to be lacking in 'mental capacity'; You are entitled to a service based upon the least restrictive practice, in your best interests, considering your established, preferred lifestyle and wishes. You are also entitled to Dignity and 'informed Choice'. You are actually more likely to get a service which is determined by the fears & anxieties of your family , neighbours and many of the involved professionals and managers. Any resistance, or anger shown by you will often be seen as part of your 'condition'. It is quite unlawful, but you will be in no position to win that argument at that point.
You are quite likely to be kept safe, but at the expense of your freedom if: Community attitudes are generally still inclined towards 'keep people safe', by taking and locking them away, 'out of sight and of mind', in nice tidy Homes (and sometimes not so happy homes). This is unacceptable and restricted by the limited funding available and poor use of what is available. Family members who had been lead to believe (mostly by poor professionals attitude) that 'there is no hope of an improvement, or recovery', or 'the person will need to be in an institution for remainder of life', have been convinced that highly restrictive services are acceptable and necessary. They are not.
You are more likely to get an appropriate services if you are informed: By the time it is your turn (if you are fortunate enough to live into older age), only those who are best informed and who understand their own (& others) rights, are guaranteed any chance of an appropriate service. The rest will be 'binned', as they have in the past. In the absence of anything else reliable, families, out of frustration, choose the best 'bins' available. I should start writing you living wills while you can, if I were you. Money is less critical than attitude. Many of these environments have become mini institutions, lacking adequate Dignity and freedom of action, protecting professionals rather than us.
You are likely to get a service that is determined by costs & ignorance: The level of professional, managerial and community ignorance in the area of Community Care, Human Rights, Mental Capacity and Disablement, is astounding and is rarely malicious. The simple test is 'Would I want to be treated like this, under any circumstances'?. Any invented justifications are just that, especially; 'Well they are not me'; 'I have prepared for my old age' and 'They bring it on themselves'. I have even experience situations where criminal process was less damaging and more insightful than other professional interventions, like mental health and social care provision. I have, of course met the flip side of that coin. It is not the professions so much at fault, it is the attitudes of disproportionately powerful, often poorly informed, bigoted professionals and managers (who believe they know best).
You are less likely to get an appropriate 'empowering' services if: If it is the clear, 'fully informed' and un-pressured decision of someone to live within a 'residential', 'retirement home' or 'nursing home' type environment; they clearly have need of this kind of support and all other alternatives have been properly offered, tried and seen to be inadequate; then we can feel justified that we have done all we can to provide the most empowering, dignified and appropriate service. If the alternatives are not there for people to make choices, then there is a clear shortfall. If they are there and not offered? Well think about it - why are some people excluded from options? It is those who congratulate themselves on the services they provide who often fail the worst.
We are all in this together: Look, I am going to be as frank with 'service users' and 'Carers' as I am with Professionals. Everything looks and sounds very complicated, but it is not. It is actually quite simple. The problem is, very often, getting people to see the simple solutions. This requires us to be honest, transparent, caring, sensitive and realistic. This is true whether we are Professionals, Carers, People in receipt of services, or more importantly, trying to get properly considered for obtaining some kind of 'enabling' service. This is entirely possible in you own home, in sheltered housing, in supported living, or in a retirement / nursing home. It should remain you informed choice and the least restrictive option.
See full story on link below. More to come. . . . . .
Since the Ann Shearer and others first started her Campaign, in the early 1970's, we have seen a serious advance in Community Care. The concept began to take root when people with learning difficulties became 'organised' and though their Advocates, Friends and directly from themselves, they spoke up at National and Local Conferences. Local Authority representatives and media were astounded at their eloquence.
It was a time of challenge and for change. Many people with learning difficulties and Autism had been incarcerated in special hospitals for many years, often for very minor problems and 'moral' issues. Some were surprisingly outspoken. Others found their voice and through the process of Self Advocacy and Advocacy, their wishes were made known. They still need to be heard. (Click Here to read text below in a New Window)
Many of the difficulties that professional's and carers are calling 'Behavioural Problems' have been generated because of these rather ignorant practices and attitudes, incorporated into the more modern ways of thinking. This completely distorts the original concept of Community Care and appears to invalidate its benefits. People's Rights and Entitlements are once more restricted, often using 'clinical' justifications that are not fully understood, with poor appreciation of the 'social' causes. The person's intelligent challenge, generates the conflicts that professional's identify as 'a problem with the person'. Sometimes, in some measure, this may be true, but the problem is mostly with how we think and behave. Sometimes it is our thinking capability that is severely limited and our behaviour that is out of order. Don't get so cocky.
HUMAN RIGHTS: 'ANY' CULTURAL DISCRIMINATION IS UNLAWFUL (Article 8 esp.).
Self Willed, Tattoos, Long Hair, Outspoken, Disabled, Fiercely Independent with a healthy Kick Ass attitude to Personal Care? You may do better playing a Pathetic Victim. Read about Enablement (or is it 'Disablement') Services. Hopefully not typical, but this is Appalling, Victimising practice, which we challenge. A case of ignorant reactions producing predictable results. A Failure to recognise effects of Brain Damage. Anger is the normal expression of prolonged frustration & is not 'violence'.
This debate is about keeping safe while working with angry, distrusting and frustrated people; those with some forms of brain damage, serious, distressing mental health problems, post traumatic stress reactions, learning difficulties with' behavioural issues', and attitudes and philosophies alien to the average social worker or care worker.
. . . . .(Click here to read the text below in a New Window)
After more than three decades of working in the most challenging, specialist, social work fields - Serious Mental Illness, Learning Disability, Alcohol & Drugs and Community & Youth Work; I have had 3 attempted assaults upon me (minor), while doing my work. This is in spite of my direct intervention in very distressed, aggressive and often psychotically charged situations.
By contrast, while employed in less challenging work and while going about my daily life, I have been threatened and assaulted, by 'normal' people, usually after they had a few drinks. I have been sexually assaulted by 'normal' people, I have been robbed, humiliated, 'cut up' by aggressive drivers, lied to, cheated and condescended to, by a number of 'normal' people; from every class and background and all walks of life.
That is also the general experience of most of the clients I have supported. I really think we need to put things in perspective. Before the usual judgment about how come I found myself in these situations! Well, I am the product of childhood abuse. I refused, any longer, to tolerate any form of abuse, by anyone, to anyone. I accept the price; I am still here though, I will not give in to any form of Bullying, the price for this is fare too high. I'm a survivor you see. I know of these these ignorant reactions
Let me tell you a recent story of someone who will not give in to condescension, prejudice, abuse, or neglect:
On Anger, Aggression and Assertion. (I suggest you enjoy this dissertation before I tidy it up too much)
Why are we so surprised that some people become angry, that others tend to be particularly aggressive and that still others develop a style of anger and aggression that they camouflage as 'Assertive' Behaviour. Of course, there are those other 'identified' individuals and groups who are labelled as 'passive-aggressive'.
The tendency is to contextualise these expressions of emotion and forget that they are powerful, natural mechanisms for self protection and for advancing our species at times of personal, environmental and social need. I have experienced more personal and social distress cause by 'Intellectual Assertions' than by 'verbal or physical aggression'. Give me anger any day. (Click here to read text below in a New Window)
Take the confident 'offensive', try not to be 'defensive'. By being defensive you are accepting a battle on 'their' terms and on their' grounds. By 'reactive assertion' and being more on the offensive, we have more control over the field. We are not interested in a battle, this is our ground and they are not coming onto it, unless invited. Sometimes it can be as simple as putting up one hand, palm forward and stating very firmly, in a low pitch. 'Stop, don't even go there!'. 'No' - No, No... Then assert you conditions and requirements and turn away.
The Web Search link below will provide some good insights but you may want to take some of the basic assumptions with a pinch of salt.
Have fun but become skilful at to ducking and diving. Have a little think about it for a moment. I will be back with more.
Try a protected search on the subject, on our dedicated Google search engine:
Professor Elliott Jaques (1917 - 2003); Psychoanalyst and Social Science Researcher
Professor Elliott Jaques was the inspiration for many of my insights into how institutions succeed or fail to meet their instituted objectives.
He additional contributed to the understanding of how the relationship between clients, patients, employees, mangers & executives thrive or dive.
Organisations function very much like organisms. They are born, grow, mature, need feeding and nurturing. The thrive, they fail, they become sick and they die.
Each part of the Organisation needs to fit equitably with each other part, in order to continue to operate effectively & healthily.
Like any organisms, all parts are important for the overall function and continued survival of the organisation and 'fit' within it's 'culture medium'.
Organisations have to cooperate with other organisms within the social environment, or get swallowed up and overwhelmed by fitter, or more aggressive organisations.
All organisations have a duty to care for their 'environment', or risk its pollution and the subsequent demise of it's customers and thereby; subsequently the demise of itself.
All organisations have a shared obligation and responsibility to operate ethically and openly, or risk generating the same kinds of destructive behaviours in others, as it uses itself.
Like any healthy environment, all organisations benefit most from cooperation between themselves and within themselves. Employees at all levels are both the providers and the users of the ideas, products & services produce.
Please feel free to contact myself on any Health & Social Care issue, Personal, therapeutic, or counselling matter. The level of confidentiality and/or disclosure will be restricted to your choice.
We are interested in the Highs & Lows of Work & Life. The Inspired Services and the frustrations. Voluntary & Community Experiences of all kinds. We are all in the same boat. Sharing experiences is therapeutic. It informs and inspires others. It also informs & challenges good Service Providers:
Is someone you know, or work with, (and just as important - you) being Bullied, Humiliated, Abused, or Prejudiced Against? Even subtle abuses can be devastating. 
Are you feeling Distressed, Depressed, Anxious, Fearful, or Paranoid?
'Mental Health and Safety', at work, play & just going about your business. 
According to Albert Einstein: "Only two things are Infinite; 'The Universe' and 'Human Stupidity'; and I am not too sure about the former". Albert Einstein developed a radically new perspective on the Universe. It revolutionised our understanding of its nature and opened the door to the new technologies we enjoy. He thought outside the box.
Lets stop kidding ourselves; Social Care & Health Services are in Crisis, which is due to get worse in the next two years, whatever we do in response to the Budget Crisis. The resources are not adequate and they are often used ineffectively, with too few (and often reducing numbers of) professional staff, with increasing administrative demands, reducing admin support, less locally available services and poor transport access to these increasingly centralised services. Critical Funds are used up in Bureaucracy.
You live in social housing and have a down to earth way of expressing yourself; have in any way expressed yourself angrily; made frustrated (even unprovoked) threats; made repeated complaints; if your needs and concerns are disabling, but not deemed as 'Critical or Substantial' (in a particular respect); if you have multiple problems that are physically, mentally or socially disabling you, but no single problem is seen as critical or substantial by any one of the specialist services. Basically, for many officials, it is about whether your face fits. It is a 'one size fits all, off the peg culture'. 'If it is good enough for everybody else then its good enough for you'. Problem is 'Its not good enough'.
You are also very likely to get a service that you insist that you do not want. If you are deemed by a professional, to be lacking in 'mental capacity'; You are entitled to a service based upon the least restrictive practice, in your best interests, considering your established, preferred lifestyle and wishes. You are also entitled to Dignity and 'informed Choice'. You are actually more likely to get a service which is determined by the fears & anxieties of your family , neighbours and many of the involved professionals and managers. Any resistance, or anger shown by you will often be seen as part of your 'condition'. It is quite unlawful, but you will be in no position to win that argument at that point.
Community attitudes are generally still inclined towards 'keep people safe', by taking and locking them away, 'out of sight and of mind', in nice tidy Homes (and sometimes not so happy homes). This is unacceptable and restricted by the limited funding available and poor use of what is available. Family members who had been lead to believe (mostly by poor professionals attitude) that 'there is no hope of an improvement, or recovery', or 'the person will need to be in an institution for remainder of life', have been convinced that highly restrictive services are acceptable and necessary. They are not.
The level of professional, managerial and community ignorance in the area of Community Care, Human Rights, Mental Capacity and Disablement, is astounding and is rarely malicious. The simple test is 'Would I want to be treated like this, under any circumstances'?. Any invented justifications are just that, especially; 'Well they are not me'; 'I have prepared for my old age' and 'They bring it on themselves'. I have even experience situations where criminal process was less damaging and more insightful than other professional interventions, like mental health and social care provision. I have, of course met the flip side of that coin. It is not the professions so much at fault, it is the attitudes of disproportionately powerful, often poorly informed, bigoted professionals and managers (who believe they know best).
If it is the clear, 'fully informed' and un-pressured decision of someone to live within a 'residential', 'retirement home' or 'nursing home' type environment; they clearly have need of this kind of support and all other alternatives have been properly offered, tried and seen to be inadequate; then we can feel justified that we have done all we can to provide the most empowering, dignified and appropriate service. If the alternatives are not there for people to make choices, then there is a clear shortfall. If they are there and not offered? Well think about it - why are some people excluded from options? It is those who congratulate themselves on the services they provide who often fail the worst.
Since the 
Why are we so surprised that some people become angry, that others tend to be particularly aggressive and that still others develop a style of anger and aggression that they camouflage as 'Assertive' Behaviour. Of course, there are those other 'identified' individuals and groups who are labelled as 'passive-aggressive'. 
Professor Elliott Jaques was the inspiration for many of my insights into how institutions succeed or fail to meet their instituted objectives.