SCIE Practice guide 11: The participation of adult service users, including older people, in developing social care
Culture - Action points
- Map the different levels at which participation occurs, ranging from how service users are involved in daily decisions to strategic decision-making. This will help identify participation 'champions’ and areas that need improvement.
This morning [support worker] gave me cup of tea,
give me breakfast. I say, 'Hello’,
no [reply], nothing, did not speak to me and did
not sit next to me, sat a couple of seats along…I
don’t feel like I’m in control of my
own life.
(Service user)
- Identify which attitudes lead to service users being excluded and develop ways of changing them.
I know that sometimes I can come across as the 'angry
disabled person’ which confirms all their negative
stereotyping but is usually more about me feeling
very vulnerable and confused because my access needs
are ignored.
(Service user)
- Agree on shared values and be honest about what is likely to result from participation.
It is about being empowered. It is about recognizing
that [organisations] understand and have acted
from a social model understanding. It is important
to listen to what disabled people say. It should
be an information exchange.
Need to be honest, for example, 'this is what
we hope to achieve’…..’Your views
will be fed to [practitioners] in such and such manner.’
(Service user)
- Make sure that there are mechanisms for accountability and admit when mistakes have been made or when there are problems with the service.
Whoever is running it must report back to the service
users.
They don’t listen. All they say [is that] they
are not responsible for whatever it is you are talking
about. It is never their fault. You are forever talking
to the wrong person. They always have excuses.
(Service user)
- Acknowledge the contribution made by service users.
Partnership needs to be there, not workers hijacking
ideas. [We] need to be equal partners.
(Service user)
