This Primary Care Social Work National Conference will explore the evolving role of social work in Primary Care and the practice implications of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. 

Booking will open by the end of May.

Context

This conference will explore the complexities for community social work when supporting and upholding service user’s will and preference while simultaneously, assisting them to live independently in their community.

Adults with complex needs are more likely to experience poor health and social outcomes which may result in increased demand on health and social services. These needs for support may arise from illness, disability, broader life circumstances or a combination of these issues. Community social workers are often asked to provide support to adults at risk or who are experiencing poor health outcomes and frequently are involved in a coordination role in these complex cases.

In 2023 the commencement of ADMCA provided a legal framework for adults to make decisions about all aspects of their care, including the right to engage or not engage with interventions to support them.  Working within this legal framework has significant implications for social work practice as they navigate effective approaches to support adults with complex needs to improve outcomes.  Community Social workers empower communities by responding to complex psychosocial needs, providing advocacy and supporting individuals to make informed choices.

The conference is supported by the HSE National Safeguarding Office. 

This conference will provide an opportunity to reflect on:

• What are the emerging themes from the implementation of ADMCA and the implications for social work practice?
• Who should take the lead when exploring capacity?
• What are the emerging themes and practice implications for primary care social work when safeguarding adults?
• How do we pragmatically support people who may make decisions that impair their health and wellbeing? What are the emerging themes from research in this area?
• What if there is no family or preferred person to assist the person with decisions?

Learning Outcomes

1. Up to date knowledge of the practice implications arising from the commencement in April 2023 of the ADMCA 2015
2. Awareness of research into interventions to support adults with complex needs and how this can be applied to our social work practice.
3. Updated knowledge on current and future policy and practice in the area of complex case management.
4. An opportunity for attendees to reflect and share their knowledge and experiences of primary care and safeguarding in complex case work.