Equality & Fairness Report 2020 Fairness Annual Report 2020 | Page 43

Accord Equality & Fairness Report 2020 Care & Support Approach to Customer Engagement: The Care and Support approach dovetails with the wider organisational Community Engagement strategy which is the overarching organisational umbrella document. While there are some differences in how Care & Support and the Homes & Communities Directorates deliver customer engagement, the underlying principles and commitments apply and it is clear that involving customers brings benefits to individuals, groups, communities and the wider organisation. We recognise the importance of effective customer engagement and acknowledge that engagement exists along a continuum with some stages inferring more rights than others. The Accord Way - Co-operative The diversity of our provision, both in terms of service type and geography also presents further challenges. We recognise that a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not meet the requirements of our services and therefore we use a tailored tool-kit approach. We offer a range of options, from informal to formal and will use a range of means to provide opportunities to engage; including creative methods of engagement in addition to more traditional models. We look to maximise the use of technology as well as use means such as music and drama to maximise engagement opportunities. We see customer engagement as everybody’s business and something that should be integrated into the core service offer rather than being a ‘bolt on’ service completed by designated staff. While this may present some challenges, this approach has clear synergies with the wider strategies and to other work streams such as our commitment to Eden Alternative. Customer engagement is part of an aspirational approach to helping customers achieve. 41