Developing models of community support (Direct Payments focus)
Project Background
This Demonstrator project aims to ensure real choice, control and independence for individuals in receipt of Direct Payments.
IMPACT and Calderdale Council will work with people with lived experience and other stakeholders to make practical and cultural changes to achieve this aim. The project will support with continual evaluation and reflection, whilst ensuring the workforce can act as enablers for change.
IMPACT Factfile
- Year: 2025 – 2026
- Delivery Model: Demonstrator
- Four Nations: England
- Themes:
Meet Our Demonstrators: Oli Smithson & Chris McKessy
Oli Smithson
I am a health and social care specialist with a background in service improvement and leadership in the charity sector.
I joined IMPACT from the Health Foundation, where I led grant funding and strategy work on health and social care innovation. My interest in social care formed while working as a support worker at the beginning of my career. IMPACT offered a unique opportunity to combine my experience of service improvement with my desire to make a difference in social care, particularly for adults with learning disabilities.
I joined IMPACT from the Health Foundation, where I led grant funding and strategy work on health and social care innovation. My interest in social care formed while working as a support worker at the beginning of my career. IMPACT offered a unique opportunity to combine my experience of service improvement with my desire to make a difference in social care, particularly for adults with learning disabilities.
Chris McKessy
I have worked in adult social care for over 20 years in various roles across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, gaining a breadth of knowledge and experience in different areas of work. I qualified as a social worker in 2014, and I currently work as a Practice Lead within Calderdale Council. This involves working alongside practitioners in adult social care to develop and strength their knowledge and practice. I believe this role and the work undertaken compliments the aims of this demonstrator project. As practitioners we can be at the heart of what is needed to enable change, putting individuals at the centre of social care, giving them choice, control and flexibility.