View all badges
#1 Keeping people who use services at the centre
Middle managers in social services make a significant contribution to shaping organisational culture and values. They set an example for staff in the way they lead and manage others, enabling workers to contribute, take initiative and gain new skills and confidence. Keeping people who use services and carers at the centre of planning, designing and delivering care and support is integral to an inclusive and participatory leadership approach.
To earn this Open Badge, you should use the resources on our Step into Leadership website to help you meet the criteria below. You may also wish to reflect on other leadership learning you have undertaken that contributes to you meeting the criteria for example; a formal leadership programme you have undertaken or leadership learning that has been delivered by your organisation.
Provide evidence that you are able to:
- actively promote self-determination, citizenship and autonomy for people who use services, families and carers
- advocate for the central importance of people who use services regardless of competing organisational pressures and priorities
- engage with diverse individuals and communities including those who are marginalised or whose needs and expectations may pose challenge
- recognise and promote the value of people’s active participation in service design and delivery
- provide opportunity, and support if required, for people who use services, carers and communities to be fully involved as partners and co-producers
- ensure a sustained commitment to improving outcomes for people who use services, families and carers.
You should already hold the Leadership Capability Feedback badge
Please provide a written statement or link to an audio or video recording showing how what you’ve learned from the resources has contributed to your professional development and informed your practice. There’s no limit to the number of words you can use in your statement although we would suggest 500-1000 words will allow you to reflect your learning effectively. Keep the criteria above in mind when preparing your statement. You can provide your statement on the badge application form or provide a link to your own blog or e-portfolio.
If you want to use a blog or ePortfolio entry as evidence, you might find our guide to preparing and publishing your evidence useful.
Remember, the evidence you provide will be viewable by anyone you show your badge to. Please don’t include confidential or private information within your statement.
Badge issuer
Scottish Social Services Council
Promoting high standards, raising public confidence and developing a trained and trusted social service workforce in Scotland.
Submit your application
The SSSC Open Badge system relies on trust. We trust that the evidence you provide will be of your own work and based on your own skills and knowledge. By submitting an application you agree to the following statement: "In studying and completing the activities for this badge, I confirm that all the work provided as evidence will be my own." The SSSC will revoke a badge if the evidence provided is discovered to have been the work of someone else.Your evidence, name, and email address will be sent to the organisation who issue this badge