Simon Malzer
Simon Malzer was a senior manager in the social care sector for twenty years before concentrating on supporting change in the voluntary sector as a consultant. As an operational manager, he worked to maintain the person at the centre of 'person-centred' organisations. This led to involvement in the development of social enterprises aimed at providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities to lead more valued lives, as well as the development of tools for organisations to use to help put people back at the heart of their work.
A big part of his work now is helping organisations to manage the process of change needed to ensure that people can get support without being oppressed by the other priorities of the organisation providing that support. This is an important aspect of the government's 'personalisation' agenda.
A few years ago, Simon became interested in independent support brokerage and related approaches because of its real potential to help people to get lives rather than just services.
As an individual member of ALTRUM and having been among the very first support provider senior managers to commit to the in Control approach, Simon is involved in developing a more progressive approach to support in Scotland. You Direct stems from this.
Real change will only happen when people who receive services become part of the process, not merely the passive recipients of the change. As well as helping people to get better lives, Simon is part of You Direct in order to help that change take place.