A former occupational therapist, who has spent the last 16 years of her career working in NHS, Local Authority and Provider settings, has joined change management specialist C.Co as a senior manager. In her new role, Sophie Coles is now spearheading the consultancy’s Maximising Proportionate Care programme.
Long-lasting solutions to the social care crisis
Sophie has been involved in developing long-lasting solutions to the social care crisis, including the redesign of reablement services, qualitative Homecare reviews and cross-partnership Single Handed Care implementation programmes.
With a proven track record for innovative public sector leadership, Sophie has led frontline social work services in urban and rural authorities, and designed and delivered large-scale change programmes, having developed a system of work across a central area in Scotland addressing the enormous challenges around care provision. This encompassed two Health & Social Care Partnerships, the NHS and three Local Authorities. The programme of work enabled true integration of services to be seen, pathways streamlined, and capacity released in terms of care hour availability.
Social care waiting lists expected to double by November
According to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), UK social care is ‘rapidly deteriorating’, and waiting lists are expected to double by November. Maximising Proportionate Care sets out to make best use of resources and ensure proportionate assessments for care are taking place. Sophie is now leading the development of a suite of products at C.Co, called Maximising Proportionate Care. It is designed to support Local Authorities to understand, design, implement and embed the Proportionate Care approach in a co-productive manner.
Describing her transition from operational service delivery into a consultancy role, Sophie says,
“I have worked as a front-line carer, a registered manager for provider services, an occupational therapist in both NHS and social work teams, a social work manager and a practitioner lead, so I understand the challenges across the board. Optimising potential by ensuring that the best outcomes are achieved for people both using those services and providing the services has always been important to me.”
Commenting on Sophie Coles’ appointment, Chief Executive Michael McDonagh, says,
“Our Maximising Proportionate Care approach will alleviate challenges caused by delayed discharges, preventable admission reductions, our increasingly ageing population, a chronic shortage of carers and massive financial pressures on the NHS and local government. Sophie’s track record in delivering change programmes speaks for itself and we are absolutely delighted that she is spearheading this exciting new programme.”
