Cygnet Puts Residents in the Driving Seat on Social Care Quality

Residents across Cygnet Social Care services are taking a leading role in shaping the quality of the support they receive, as part of a pioneering new initiative that puts their voices at the heart of service improvement.

Through Cygnet Social Care’s new Quality Guardians initiative, 21 residents living with learning disabilities, autism or neurological care needs will help assess services, share their experiences and identify opportunities to make everyday life better for themselves and their peers.

Crucially, the audit they will use has been developed by Cygnet Social Care residents themselves, ensuring the initiative focuses on what matters most to the people who call these services home.

For Johnathan, who is supported at The Orchards in Essex, becoming a Quality Guardian is an opportunity to make a difference to others.

He said: “I believe that every voice should be heard and that’s why I became a Quality Guardian. I love doing this because it gives me a sense that I can help people.”

Likewise for Cameron, a resident at Oaklands, this is an opportunity to develop his skills and connect with others.

He said: “I’m excited to meet new people, make friends and share our experiences together!”

On 10 November, the 21 residents were formally appointed into their new role at Cygnet’s London-based head office, where they met with members of the executive team, and Ryan Hartnett, Cygnet Social Care Operations Director for the East of England and the North, who is heading up the new initiative.

He said: “Our Quality Guardians initiative is about putting residents in the driving seat when it comes to the quality of the support they receive.

“Quality should never be something that is done to people; it should be shaped with them. The people we support are the experts in their own lives, and their experiences can tell us things about our services that no other form of feedback can.

“By giving residents an active role in reviewing services and identifying where improvements can be made, we are making sure their views are not simply heard but can help shape decisions and drive positive change across Cygnet Social Care.”

The Quality Guardians will carry out audits across services in their regions twice a year, drawing on their own experiences to identify what is working well and where things could be better.

The audit has been developed by Cygnet residents, ensuring the review focuses on the everyday details that matter to people living in the services, and giving residents a direct role in helping shape improvements for their peers.

Covering everything from how welcome residents feel when they arrive to the food and drink available to them, the audit looks at the everyday details that shape residents’ experiences of living at a service.

Ryan added: “As well as helping improve services for others, the Quality Guardians role gives residents the opportunity to develop new skills, take on responsibility and build confidence in sharing their views.

“It recognises that people with learning disabilities, autism and neurological care needs have valuable perspectives to contribute and that they should have meaningful opportunities to influence the services and decisions that affect their lives.

“We want our residents to know that their views matter and that they can make a real difference. The Quality Guardians will help us see our services through their eyes, challenge us to keep improving and ensure that the experiences of the people we support continue to shape the way we work.”