An expert's story
Victoria Bowman (pictured) is an expert-by-experience.
Victoria has personal experience of using social care services.
She now uses her knowledge to help improve social care services.
She takes part in inspections and talks to the people who use the
care service.
Victoria says:
"I believe it is good for people with disabilities to be
involved with the inspection process. The people at the homes like
to meet new people like themselves. They feel more at ease and
understand that the expert-by-experience is there to help.
I became an expert-by-experience through the Darlington
Association on Disability (DAD). I met some of the DAD team when I
volunteered to help at a children's playscheme.
I also do voluntary work at a college crèche, a reception class
at school and help at the church café.
When I am asked to do an inspection I travel to the care home or
service that is to be inspected with my support worker.
At the home, I first meet with the inspector and the manager of
the home. The inspector may tell me what extra questions I can ask
the residents.
During the visit I meet the residents and ask them questions
from my prepared checklist, such as:
'What choices or activities do you have every day?'
Residents tell me what they do and how much say they have in the
running of the home.
DAD provides my support worker, arranges my transport, and also
supports me to write my report after the visit.
They also organise my wages!”
Get involved
Do you have experience of social care services? Would you like
to be an expert-by-experience like Victoria?
Would you like to share your story?
We plan to use your stories throughout our work to show how good
social care can transform people’s lives.