principles into practice network

Service user participation and influence

Topics covered in this article:

Awards category sponsored by Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

We think that individual participation in decisions that affect them is a fundamental principle and one that should be at the heart of any health or social care decision. The principles are clear that just because someone has a mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder, it doesn't mean they have no say in what happens to them.Consideration of the principles and individual needs should be at the heart of how services are planned and delivered.

Shortlisted projects in this category have demonstrated

• commitment and flexibility in their approach to service user participation in care and treatment decisions
• service development and delivery that responds directly to needs identified by service users
• a positive impact on individuals and the quality of services provided for people with mental ill health, learning disability, dementia or another mental disorder.

Click on the links below to find out more about each of the shortlisted projects

AWARD WINNER:

Royal Edinburgh Hospital - self harm service - CAPS Personality Disorder Project - Category winner

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The Royal Edinburgh Hospital Self Harm Service (SHS) has been working to improve the care, services and treatment for people who self harm. The service was set up following lobbying by service users, who have been involved since the outset in the service design and in how various strands of work are delivered and evaluated.

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FOCUS - The Richmond Fellowship  - Highly Commended

FOCUS is the Participation and Involvement team within The Richmond Fellowship Scotland (TRFS), a large voluntary organisation providing high quality support for adults with complex health and social care needs including mental health, learning disabilities, autism, ABI and ARBD, dementia and older people services. The organisation currently supports over 2300 people at home and in services throughout Scotland.

Flourish House (The Clubhouse)  - Highly Commended

The Clubhouse Model is described as 'vocational rehabilitation' and Flourish House has a primary focus on work as its vehicle for promoting recovery from long term mental ill health. However, it is a very rare occurrence when new members attend because they want a job! Most want to reduce their isolation, make new friends or simply get structure in their lives. However, as these goals are achieved, members naturally want to do more for themselves.

The Advisory Group - Key Community Supports  - Highly Commended

KEY provides individual support services to over 1,400 people with a learning disability in cities, towns and villages throughout Scotland. KEY is committed to the fullest possible involvement of the people it supports in the planning and operation of its services. KEY believes the people who use its services have the right, and should have the opportunity, to influence how KEY provides, manages and reviews its support services at all levels of the organisation.