Meeting-The-Challenge-Making-a-Difference-Practitioner-Guide

What are the
challenges
associated with
service user
involvement?
Some of the named challenges
to involving service users in
service design, development
and evaluation include:
• They’re unreliable! Stigma
and discrimination can
underpin the belief that
service users are ‘ill all the
time’ and therefore
unreliable. Service users do
have considerable coping
skills, strengths and
resources.
• They’re TOO well! On the
other hand, service users can
be ‘too well’,‘too articulate’
or ‘too vocal’. Some workers
are often looking for the
‘typical patient’, often
someone who is passive and
will not challenge the system or
the practitioner viewpoint
• We can’t pay them! Does
your organisation have a
policy in place for paying
service users? If you cannot
pay people, how will you
reward service users for their
input? There are other ways
to give back – can you organise
a meeting around a working
lunch and provide food?
• It takes too much time!
Consulting others, working
collaboratively, these do all
take time but try to think
about the process as well as
the end result – by involving
people well you are working
towards your therapeutic
aims as well as service
development.
• It’s always the same people!
Welcome the input of
regulars while continuing to
seek new people.Word of
mouth is the best way to
attract people – make people
want to get involved.
What are the
benefits associated
with service user
involvement?
Involving service users in the
development and running of
the mental health services
they use has benefits for all:
service users, staff, services
and commissioners.
BENEFITS FOR SERVICES
AND STAFF
Staff can find out more about
what service users want and
can develop responsive
services. The relationship
between staff and services
users will be strengthened
if service users feel that their
views and contribution are
taken seriously. Involvement
activities offer a chance to
see people in a different
role and to see their abilities
and growth.
BENEFITS FOR SERVICE USERS
Service users can feel
empowered by getting involved
in this work, and it has been
shown to strengthen selfconfidence
and self-esteem.
Peer support from other service
users can also contribute to
recovery. The increase in
confidence, as well developing
new skills, has led many service
users into paid employment.
Involvement offers an
opportunity to explore new
roles and identities beyond
that of service user.
“Evidence shows that
involving service
users with a
diagnosis of
personality disorder
can be therapeutic
itself, by improving
self-confidence and
self-esteem.”
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