Your Options Understood (Y.O.U.) is a resource that offers independent advice to those living with a disability, as well as parents and carers. It was set-up by Dr Danielle Farrel to share her own experiences of life with a disability and to show that having a disability does not necessarily mean that individuals cannot live an independent life. Y.O.U. supports those living with a disability to have control over their daily support, and to get assistance to do the things they want to do, at times when they want to do them, supported by people they choose.

The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 9 March 2016 and will commence on 1 April 2018.  Carers, key stakeholders and national organisations are now contributing their knowledge and experience to help shape the Act’s implementation, as they did the Act’s content, and we want to hear the views of front line practitioners who are working to support carers and the people they care for in shaping implementation of the Act.
 

iamsocialwork, is a concept that was created by Zoë Betts in 2012, as a newly qualified social worker. It started out as a small, local event in London and has grown into a series of UK-wide events, which offer opportunities for student, recently qualified and qualified social workers to come together to strengthen professional links, peer networks and practice.

We would like to thank those (over 100 people!) who expressed interest in our Relationships Matter conversation tool. 

On 20th July, Mark McDonald, the Minister for Childcare and Early Years paid us a visit at our offices in Glasgow.

We are seeking partners to work with around an explorative approach to organisational enquiry and action. 

It's SDS Awareness Week (#SDSBlether) so we want you to know the latest about our Pilotlight project.

Pilotlight is working with co-design teams of people who use and deliver services across Scotland to design pathways to self-directed support.

Using a design approach, Pilotlight aims to demonstrate how to design support for seldom heard groups, provide more personalised and appropriate services and increase the marketplace of support providers.

We've published Insight 31 - Peer support roles in mental health services - which was written by Louise Christie, Network Manager (Policy and Development) at Scottish Recovery Network.

The print version has been newly designed to reflect our new brand and colours. I think you'll agree that it looks rather lovely. Print copies are available on request, contact Iriss.

Bob Parry, previously Associate Director at NHS Education for Scotland (NES), has taken up the post of interim Director at Iriss following Jackie McKenzie's departure in March 2016. Bob has held a number of senior positions latterly in the NHS in supporting workforce development and education, and leading work in supporting the integration of health and social care and in academia as Dean, Faculty of Health and Social at University of Hull.

Bob took up post on 2 May 2016 and will be with us as plans for the recruitment of a new Iriss Director get underway.