SCIE Practice guide 11: The participation of adult service users, including older people, in developing social care
Meaning and importance of participation - Action points
- Agree a clear set of objectives for participation in consultation with service users and service user organisations.
You need to be told exactly what the participation
is for, what realistically they want, and what
realistically they will do with the information
gathered. We need to know if it is just going to
produce a report which will sit on a shelf gathering
dust or whether change will come about as a result
of your participation.
(Service user)
- Identify the outcomes that service user participation is planned to achieve. Organisations and service users need to be able to see evidence of 'what’s changed’.
It’s about feeling it’s going to make
a difference. [Seeing] something coming out of it - good
decisions!
(Service user)
- Make sure that everyone in the organisation is aware of the reasons for improving service user participation and the benefits of doing so. If necessary, set up training or information sessions to help members improve their knowledge and skills.
You feel pleased that somebody recognises you for
your experiences.
(Service user)
