1. Putting Service User Involvement into Practice
Becki Meakin, Shaping Our Lives
National Organisation for Practice Teaching
conference 2018

2. Why am I here?
Peter Beresford could not make it…

3. Relevant work Service user and carer review of:
HCPC Standards of conduct, performance and ethics
HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Social Workers in England
Involvement strategy for the British Association of Social Work (BASW)
Chief Social Worker reflective practice consultation
Disabled adults and social workers charter
Founder member of international social work partnership: PowerUs
Advisory Group for Social Work England

4. A little about Shaping Our Lives
Experts in the inclusive involvement of people who use services and their carers
User-led research and consultation
Involvement strategy development
Training and guidance

5. Our aim To influence the policy, planning and delivery of services
To enable people to have the same rights, responsibilities, choices and control
So people can live their lives the way they want

6. Why am I here again? NOPT Code of Conduct:
Anti-oppression/discrimination statement:
Involve the service user in the development and assessment of the student’s learning
4.6 Service users should be enabled to take part in the assessment process
4.7 Service users should be involved in observations

7. What does regulation mean to service users?
Protection, safety and dignity
Professional accountability
Consistent standard of service
Way of getting recourse if something goes wrong

8. What did service users think of the current standards?
Top down
Not a vehicle for users to influence service delivery
Difficult to navigate if you are not a professional
How do you compare services if there is no national charter/standard for people using the services?
How can social workers be protected if they whistle blow?

9. What service users want from social workers
Good relationships
Equal partnerships
Personalised approach
Time to be creative
Time to learn from each other
Opportunity to reflect on practice

10. And more… Good communication Accessible Equal (two way) Timely
Reliable.

11. And much more… Accountable and consistent
“Accountability and consistency are so important, someone who knows about issue already, not someone new each time.”

12. Disabled adults and social workers charter
A charter for change
Jointly produced
How we can work better together

13. Approach of the charter – guiding principles
Removing societal barriers
Rights based approach: Care Act, Equality Act and UN Convention
independent living: starting principle for wellbeing
Values lived experience
Opposes discrimination

14. Why is involving people difficult?
Power imbalances
“in an unequal and oppressive relationship with the State and society “
Communications and jargon
Attitudinal and cultural prejudices

15. Professionals involvement guide
7 Essentials for success:
Equality – lived experience expertise
Mutual respect –learn from each other
Ownership – a defined role
Structure – a clear plan for involvement
Commitment from professionals
Feedback – sharing outcomes
Personal development – gain skills

16. Why do people take part? A day out Free lunch Something to do
Give something back

17. Why do people really take part?
From research:
Leads to paid or voluntary work
To be professionally active
A step to better health and wellbeing
To make services better for others
To network and learn about services

18. Involvement makes a social contribution
- We have a responsibility to do it properly 'It was the first step to better wellbeing'

19. Practical barriers
Practicalities such as travel arrangements and parking
Inaccessible venues
Inaccessible timing

20. Communication barriers
Not being listened to
Feeling inadequate because information is not equally shared
Professionals not acting on suggestions
Not genuinely collaborative
Not given equal priority
No feedback

21. Attitudinal barriers Not having equal power and respect
Feeling intimidated
Financial/service pressures
Medical model approach

22. Conflicts for service users
Fluctuating health/living circumstances
Difficult to switch between roles
Stress and tiredness

23. 4 steps for professionals
Accessibility training
Profile service users involved
Set 30 day improvement goals
Ask for feedback

24. Take home message
Positive, trusting and equal relationships lead to a person-centred care solution

25. Free resources from Shaping Our Lives
Visit our website Becki Meakin