Israelis learning from Norwood

SENIOR OFFICIALS from Israel’s social affairs and finance ministries visited Norwood’s offices and the charity’s residential home in Stanmore as part of a European mission to examine new models of social care and welfare funding.

The delegation was led by Professor Jack Habib, director of the Myers JDCBrookdale Institute, Israel’s leading centre for applied research on social policy and social services.

They discussed funding and other challenges with Norwood CEO Elaine Kerr and directors Ron Brown and Julian Anthony.

“Israel is working very hard to improve its social services,” Professor Habib said. “We’re here to learn from your experience. We’ve visited other organisations here and in Ireland but we’re particularly excited about Norwood. Your approach to integrated and people-centred services is of great interest to us.”

Ms Kerr said the Norwood representatives also took a lot from the meeting. “We share common issues around the affordability and management of social welfare funding. We also share the wish to provide the best support and care possible for our communities.

“Our guests were particularly interested in personal budgets and direct payments, which were the subject of a lively debate, focusing on state responsibility alongside individual choices for those requiring support.”