Asset Based Approach

Assets are useful or valuable things that an individual or organisation has. This could include certain skills, abilities or personal qualities that an individual may possess and the organisations and resources they have access to within their community.

An asset-based approach focuses on what people have and can do rather than what they are lacking and cannot do. Organisations work with individuals focusing on their valuable qualities in order to takes steps in working towards a positive outcome for the future.

An assets based approach involves utilizing the skills and abilities that individuals possess, and the organisations and resources they have access to within their own communities. This will empower individuals, so that they do not

These can then be used in plan of action to designed to deal with any negative issues in relation to health that they maybe experiencing (Sigerson and Gruer 2011).

The director for Public health for the National Health Service Tayside, Dr Drew Walker defined co-production as relinquishing control, and working as a partner in relationships based on equality, in relation to decisions that affect other people (Loeffler 2013).

An example of co-production is a project called SHINE. The main organisations involved in this are The National Health Service Fife, Fife Council, and Brag Enterprises Limited (a social enterprise). Advice is provided to this project by Community Catalysts and Future Film Forums (Loeffler 2013).

The project has backing from the Health Foundations SHINE initiative, The Joint Improve Team (Who are backed by The Scottish Government, The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), and The National Health Service Fife). It is also supported by a local project that is active in Fife, called Reshaping Care for Older People (Loeffler

Individual assets include how robust people are, how dedicated they are to learning, there self-confidence and if they have a purpose in life. Community assets include relatives, friends, how strong the community spirit is, and individuals accepting other peoples religious views. Organisational assets include having reliable employment, and accommodation that meets health and safety standards (Sigerson and Gruer 2011).

In 2011, The Commission on the Future Delivery Services, underlined the principles of the asset based approach, as part of its priorities for action. These are working with individuals and communities, as opposed to the traditional method where services were controlled by administrative processes. This would make the most efficient use of the most of the minimal resources that are available, in relation to the private, public and third sector agencies, as well as the individuals and communities that people inhabit (Sigerson and Gruer 2011).

To test the asset based approach, The National Health Service developed referred to as Equally Well. This was given the vote of confidence by The Chief Medical Officers Annual Report in 2009, and underlined that the focus should be on what creates good health, and can be used alongside more traditional methods to deal with ill health (Sigerson and Gruer