Our People - Dr John Tufail
Dr John Tufail has been working in the field of care provision and advocacy since 1972.
Much of this work has involved working within diverse cultures and his research programmes (commencing in 1987) have related directly to issues of cultural requirements in the field of disability support and advocacy.
John has been involved in developing both specific and national 'codes of practice' in the area of health and social care, including being chair of the UK national advisory committee on development of an 'Advocacy Charter' for the UK, being an adviser to the UK Department of health on the development of national standards of care provision and acting as a member of academic, NGO, and national standards boards.
John gained residency in New Zealand in 2005, and is now available for consultancy, research and development work.
Enhanced Communication.
30 years of research and practice working with people with intellectual disabilities and/or communication difficulties has enabled John to develop models that enable carers and support workers to identify the grammatical structure of non-verbal communication and support service users in refining and developing communication skills.
Augmented Communication.
Dr Tufail has developed a range of communication and learning strategies and media that enables service providers and users to work together in identifying and developing an individual’s range of potentials. These strategies enable profoundly disabled people to make choices, accept responsibility and participate in their own assessment, development and care planning processes.
Spending half an afternoon in conversation with Dr Tufail more than justified the cost of my travel to New Zealand. . . I immediately went away and re-wrote the paper I was about to present.’ (Dr Andy Minnion, Director, Rix Centre (UK)
Empowerment, self-advocacy and advocacy awareness
The recent research carried out by Dr Tufail and his team in New Zealand has led to the development of the WEB model of hauora - Ara Tukutuku - a holistic approach to self empowerment that enables service users and providers to work on an equal basis together to solve problems and resolve difficulties. This model is based on the cascade principle. The programme, once delivered is owned by the participants who are then able to effectively take the model and enable others to develop the same skills and knowledge base.
Contact:
100 Leinster Avenue
Raumati South
Kapiti Coast
New Zealand
Telephone: 64 04 9022553
E-mail
Qualifications
- Ph.D
- DPA
- AIPM
- BA [Combined Studies]
- BA [Social Sciences]
Recent Research and Activities:
New Zealand- LEAD RESEARCHER FOR MSD ADVOCACY RESEARCH PROJECT- (May 2004- January 2005)
- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, INDEPENDENT COMPLAINTS ADVOCACY SERVICE, PILOT ACTION RESEARCH - August 2002 - 31 August 2003.
- DEVELOPMENT OF OUTPOST/OUTREACH MODEL OF HEALTH COMPLAINTS ADVOCACY - London Borough of Newham/Newham Primary Care Trust. Sep 2000-June 2001
- ADVOCACY NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES - 9 month project using quantitative, qualitative and action research techniques. Summary of finding available on our website.
- PRACYBANI INSTITUTE. CULTURAL VARIATIONS IN PRIMARY CARE ACCESS IN EAST LONDON - April 2000 - January 2001. Private Commission by Peoples' Health Centre (UK)
- QUANTITIVE RESEARCH INTO PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE - within three distinct cultural groups; their expectations and their perceived quality of access and service provision.
Prior to this, John has been involved in a wide range of research projects as project leader, steering committee member/chair and researcher.
His areas of interest include learning difficulties and communication, racism and housing, racism and policing, Community Care provision and monitoring.
Other recent activities (not already mentioned) include:
- 1999-2003 - Panel Member (validation) London Open College Network
- 2001-2003 - Visiting Lecturer, University of East London (Advocacy and Health Ethics)
- Member of course development group, UK's first Certificate in Advocacy (Kings Fund/UEL/AC)
- Responsible for developing training programmes in Mental health support, HIV support, health and Social Care Advocacy. (Various organisations)
- Visiting lecturer Birckbeck College and University of London (Linguistic and Communication Theory).