About Equal Care's Social Climate

The Social Climate Framework

Equal Care Cooperative's social climate framework is made up key domains—Growth Outcomes, Systems & Co-production Outcome, and Well-being, Belonging & Community Outcomes. This framework integrates relationship-centered care, sociocratic governance, multistakeholder ownership, and co-production principles and recognizes the interconnectedness of these models. Each domain offers a unique perspective on the factors that shape the overall atmosphere and dynamics within our care setting. Our analysis and understanding of each domain emphasizes the role that power dynamics play in determining outcomes and experiences.

Growth Outcome Domain

The Growth Outcomes Domain focuses on the holistic development and empowerment of individuals within the care system. This domain encompasses:

1. Individual Development, ensuring personal growth through tailored learning and skill-building opportunities.

2. Individual Change Agency emphasizes empowering individuals to take control of their life changes and make decisions that shape their future.

3. Independence & Autonomy highlight fostering self-reliance and the ability to manage one's own care and daily activities.

4. Inclusion & Participation ensure that individuals are actively involved in their communities and have a voice in social and organizational contexts.

5. Learning and Skills Development provides continuous opportunities for individuals to acquire new knowledge, competencies, and skills that enhance their personal and professional growth.

Together, these factors aim to create an environment where individuals can thrive, grow, and lead fulfilling lives.

Power dynamics in the domain of "Growth"

Within this domain, power dynamics significantly influence how individuals experience and engage with opportunities for personal growth, autonomy, and community participation.

Individual Development: Power dynamics can impact access and engagement with learning, development and skill-building opportunities. Ensuring equitable access to these opportunities helps mitigate disparities and empowers individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge, regardless of background or status.

Individual Change Agency: Empowering individuals to take control of their life changes involves redistributing power towards self-determination and decision-making. Facilitating opportunities for individuals to voice their preferences and choices in care settings promotes autonomy and personal agency.

Independence & Autonomy: Power dynamics often influence who has control over decision-making and daily activities within care environments. Promoting self-reliance and autonomy requires addressing power differentials to ensure that individuals have the freedom to manage their care and activities independently.

Inclusion & Participation: Inclusive environments are crucial for fostering active participation and community engagement. Power dynamics can hinder or facilitate participation by influencing access to decision-making processes and opportunities for social involvement. Ensuring inclusive practices empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully and have a voice in organizational and community contexts.

Learning and Skills Development: Access to continuous learning and skills development is crucial for personal and professional growth. Power dynamics can affect who has access to these opportunities. Addressing these power imbalances ensures that all individuals have the chance to develop new competencies, stay competitive, and achieve their full potential.

By recognizing and addressing the role power dynamics play in determining growth outcomes we are more able to create a social climate where individuals can thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

Survey Items in the domain of "Growth"

1. Survey items that reflect individual development:

• “There are opportunities for me to grow and develop here.”

• “My job allows me to learn more about the strengths, skills, and interests of the people I support.”

• “Reflecting on my work with circle members helps me learn and grow.”

1. Survey items that reflect individual change agency:

• “I have a say in decisions taken about my friend’s care and support.”

• “I have a say in who I give care and support to.”

• “I have a say in things that affect how well I can do my job.”

• “I feel my voice is heard and valued in this circle.” “My friend can see and edit any information about them and their care.”

1. Survey items that reflect independence and autonomy:

• "I can easily find the information I need to understand what's going on."

• "I can see and edit any information about me and my care."

• "My suggestions on how to make things work better would probably be dismissed or ignored."

• "The policies and procedures care workers follow help my friend feel in control of their care."

1. Survey items that reflect inclusion and participation:

• "Being part of the team helps me feel connected to the local community."

• "Everyone is focused on the things that help the circle achieve its goals."

• "Care workers and my friend both get a say in who they give and receive care from."

• "People from the local community are gifting their time and skills to the team."

• "There are local community spaces and venues where members are welcome to gather and connect."

1. Survey items that reflect learning and skills development:

• "The training and support I get helps me feel more confident and able to perform my role well."

• "I can share my knowledge and skills with my team members so they can improve how we work."

• "Circle members share their knowledge and skills with each other."

Systems Maintenance & Co-production Outcome Domain

The Co-production Outcome Domain focuses on the collaborative framework between service users and providers to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of care services. This domain encompasses:

1. Decision-Making & Planning emphasizes inclusive and participatory approaches to shaping care strategies and policies.

2. Effective Task Management ensures that care activities and responsibilities are effectively distributed, coordinated and executed.

3. Accountability promotes transparency and shared responsibility for outcomes, fostering trust and reliability.

4. Change & Innovation encourages the co-creation of innovative solutions and the continuous improvement of care practices.

This domain aims to create a dynamic and responsive services that optimises outcomes through realising the full potential all stakeholders.

Power dynamics in the domain of "Systems Maintenance & Co-production"

Within this domain, power dynamics play a crucial role in shaping relationships, decision-making processes, and overall outcomes.

Decision-Making & Planning: Traditional power differentials can impact decision-making processes. Inclusive and participatory approaches aim to mitigate these dynamics by ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping care strategies and policies. This inclusivity empowers service users and providers alike, fostering a more democratic and equitable distribution of power.

Effective Task Management: Power dynamics can influence how tasks and responsibilities are allocated and executed within care settings. Effective task management in co-production involves transparent processes where responsibilities are shared based on strengths and expertise rather than hierarchical power structures.

Accountability: Power dynamics affect accountability mechanisms within care services. Promoting transparency and shared responsibility helps balance power by holding all stakeholders, including providers, accountable for their actions and decisions. This mutual accountability fosters trust and empowers all stakeholders.

Change & Innovation: Power dynamics often influence who initiates and drives changes or innovations within care practices. Co-creation of innovative solutions in co-production encourages collaboration and shared ownership of change initiatives, thus redistributing power towards more inclusive and responsive practices.

By recognizing and addressing the role power dynamics play in determining Co-production outcomes we are more able to create a social climate that unlocks the full potential of all stakeholders.

Survey Items in the domain of "Systems Maintenance & Co-production"

1. Survey items that reflect decision-making and planning:

• "I have a say in decisions taken about my friend's care and support."

• "I have a say in who I give care and support to."

• "Circle members have a say in who holds key roles and responsibilities."

• "Care workers and my friend both get a say in who they give and receive care from."

2. Survey items that reflect effective task management:

• "Everyone is focused on the things that help us achieve our goals."

• "Key roles and responsibilities are held by the right people."

• "Team member roles and responsibilities are poorly defined."

• "Team members make sure everyone is doing their best work."

• "I can easily find the information I need to understand what's going on."

These items capture how well responsibilities are defined, whether roles are effectively assigned, and whether the team operates with a shared focus on achieving goals. Effective task management is critical to co-production because it ensures that all stakeholders contribute efficiently to the care service. Items related to clarity in roles and responsibilities, as well as information access, indicate whether task management is working smoothly.

3. Survey items that reflect accountability:

• "Team members hold themselves and each other accountable for their work."

• "Team members tend to overlook issues when things go wrong and just carry on as usual."

• "Team members look for someone to blame when something goes wrong."

• "Raising concerns about the quality of care is often seen as 'making trouble' by other team members."

4. Survey items that reflect change and innovation:

• "Circle members are reluctant to take leadership in problem solving and putting new ideas into action."

• "Sharing objections and opposing views helps the circle make better decisions."

• "The care and support from this team is monotonous and lacks spontaneity."

• "I am free to try new things in my teams, even if it's not what I normally do."

• "I have a say in things that affect how well I can do my job."

Well-being, Relationships & Belonging Outcome Domain

The Well-being, Relationships & Belonging Outcome Domain centers on the emotional, social, and communal aspects of individuals' lives within the care system. This domain encompasses:

1. Well-being Levels focus on the overall health and happiness of individuals, ensuring their physical, mental, and emotional needs are met.

2. Caregiving Relationships emphasize the importance of strong, supportive, and empathetic relationships between caregivers and care recipients.

3. Group Unity & Cohesion highlight the sense of belonging and solidarity among individuals within the care environment.

4. Community Connection & Belonging focus on integrating individuals into broader community networks, fostering a sense of connection and social support.

This domain aims to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the holistic well-being of individuals.

Power dynamics in the domain of "Well-being, Relationships & Belonging"

Power dynamics significantly influence the quality of relationships, sense of belonging, and overall community integration.

Well-being Levels: Power dynamics can impact access to resources and opportunities that contribute to overall well-being. Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and support services helps mitigate power differentials, promoting equal opportunities for individuals to achieve optimal health and happiness.

Caregiving Relationships: Power imbalances can affect the quality of caregiving relationships. Promoting supportive and empathetic caregiving relationships empowers both caregivers and care recipients, fostering mutual empowerment and reducing power differentials.

Group Unity & Cohesion: Power dynamics within groups can influence cohesion and the sense of belonging. Encouraging inclusive practices and participatory decision-making within all caregiving environments empowers individuals to contribute to group unity, reducing disparities and strengthening solidarity.

Community Connection & Belonging: Power dynamics shape individuals' ability to connect with broader community networks. Facilitating community connections and social support networks empowers individuals to actively participate in broader community life, strengthening their sense of belonging and enhancing overall social well-being.

By recognizing and addressing the role power dynamics play in determining Well-being, Relationships & Belonging Outcomes we are more able to create a social climate that acheive optimal well-being and belonging for all stakeholders.

Survey Items in the domain of "Well-being, Relationships & Belonging"

1. Survey items that reflect well-being levels:

• "I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future."

• "I’ve been feeling useful."

• "I’ve been feeling relaxed."

• "I’ve been dealing with problems well."

• "I’ve been thinking clearly."

• "I’ve been feeling close to other people."

• "How much has your well-being changed as a result of your involvement with Equal Care?"

2. Survey items that reflect caregiving relationships:

• "I have developed a close connection with care workers in this team."

• "Care workers treat me with kindness, as though I matter to them."

• "The care workers are a good match for my friend."

• "Communicating directly with my friend's care workers helps them provide better care."

• "Care workers recognize the strengths, skills, and interests of the people they support."

3. Survey items that reflect group unity and cohesion:

• "I am very proud of this team."

• "The team is a good place to make friends."

• "Everyone is focused on the things that help us achieve our goals."

• "Team members make sure everyone is doing their best work."

• "I can share my knowledge and skills with my team members so they can improve how we work."

• "Team members hold themselves and each other accountable for their work."

4. Survey items that reflect community connection and belonging:

• "Being part of the team helps me feel connected to the local community."

• "The team helps connect my friend to their local community."

• "People from the local community are gifting their time and skills to the team."

• "There are local community spaces and venues where members are welcome to gather and connect."

• "Care workers can support my friend to participate in local community events and/or activities they enjoy."

Interrelation and Overlap of Social Climate Domains

These three domains are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, each contributing to a comprehensive and holistic care framework. The Growth Outcomes Domain’s focus on individual development and empowerment is supported by the collaborative and inclusive processes outlined in the Co-production Systems Outcome Domain, ensuring that personal growth is facilitated through shared decision-making and innovative care practices. The Well-being, Belonging & Community Outcome Domain complements these efforts by fostering a supportive and connected environment, which is crucial for individual growth and effective co-production. For instance, strong caregiving relationships and a sense of community enhance well-being, which in turn empowers individuals to participate more actively in co-production processes and pursue personal growth. Together, these domains create a synergistic framework that promotes individual well-being, collaborative care, and community integration.