Crisis Care Concordat: Evaluation Karen James, Research Manager Susanne Gibson, Senior Researcher

About us A specialist mental health research charity, established in April 2013, with an experienced team of mental health researchers Our vision: a transformed mental health system in which research and services are shaped by the lived experience of people affected by mental health problems Conducting research and evaluation Supporting people to get involved in research Providing consultation and advice

Evaluation aims Assess the progress and impact of rolling out the local Declarations/Action Plans Understand the success factors for local areas to sign up and embed agreements made through local Declarations into their working practices and protocols, as well as the major challenges and obstacles. Produce learning and recommendations for how local partners can effectively work together to improve the experience of people in mental health crisis in each and every locality.

Evaluation methods Interviews with local and national stakeholders Observations in 4 areas Analysis of nationally available data on key outcomes Analysis of declarations and action plans Survey of people’s experiences of crisis care 2014: Observations of meetings & events (n=8) Survey of service user & carer experiences of crisis care (n=603) Analysis of nationally available data 2015: Interviews with stakeholders in 4 local areas (n=12) Interviews with members of national Steering group (n=6) Analysis of local action plans (n=32) Follow up survey Round 2 analysis of nationally available data

Survey Sent to 379 people who completed the survey last year Repeat of last year’s questions: Nature of contact with services Experiences of: – Accessing support – Staff knowledge and skills – Staff attitudes – Access to advocacy 195 responses (48 carer; 142 service user) so far (51% response rate)

Survey

Interview questions The key people/organisations involved in developing and implementing the action plan The main challenges and how they were overcome The main achievements Further work and implementation

Interview themes 4 main themes Partnership working Achievements and challenges Service user and carer experience The future of crisis care

Partnership working The benefits of partnership working – improved service delivery – opening up conversations – increasing understanding – learning from others – holding each other to account The challenges of partnership working – difficulties engaging organisations – negotiating shared funding and resourcing – negotiating cultural/organisational differences

The future of crisis care Hopes and fears for crisis care – maintaining momentum – funding – continued commitment of all partners Changing the culture of crisis care – (further) extending access to children and young people – eligibility for crisis care – “Everyone should be able to ask for help” Debating crisis care – the role of prevention and recovery – parity of esteem and the role of A&E – whose responsibility is crisis care?

Thank you