Paradigm has launched the ‘go-to’ national learning and support network for support staff who are passionate about their work and aspire to be the very best at what they do.

The network, launched under the banner The Gr8 Support Movement is facilitated by Sally Warren, Lucy Hurst-Brown and Jackie Downer. It aims to

• Connect support workers across the country to share ideas, challenges and action.
• Give a powerful message that support workers themselves can create new solutions.
• Share current practice
• Keep people informed of local and national stories.
• Focus on ‘the how’ we work, what excellence looks like when values are evidenced in practice.
• Be vibrant, different, inspiring and challenging for all involved.

Working in direct support roles is always demanding, usually complex and frequently isolating. In general, the work does not attract a positive public profile or the value and respect it so deserves. There are currently no membership bodies in the UK that seek to join up, support and motivate this key part of the social care workforce which is what Paradigm is wanting to change.

The team believes that the Gr8 Support Movement will increase motivation, release energy, courage and talent across its membership, and in turn, the quality of support provided to children and adults with learning disabilities and autism in the UK could be radically improved.

It will create easy and intuitive ways to connect members to encourage shared learning and action. The initial offer will include:

1. News Reels – thought-provoking stories of the week delivered directly to members.
2. The Ideas Store – an online library cataloguing News Reels, films, blogs and other relevant documents.
3. A Weekly Challenge – from Question Makers inviting members to engage.
4. Viewpoint Films – created by members for members, to share ideas.
5. Brown Bag Lunch Webinars – engaging members in debate and learning with Question Makers.
6. Check It Out Line – a phone line for members to seek ideas, advice, support and connections.
7. Get Your Voices Heard Reporting – a bulletin delivering sector-wide reports covering themes, ideas and learning from the Gr8 Support Movement.
8. In It Together Peer Network – connecting direct support staff from across the UK.