PORTSMOUTH SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT CHARTER


At our conference INVOLVEMENT MATTERS in 2004, local service users started to pave the way for future improvements. One of the results from this day, produced the PORTSMOUTH SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT CHARTER. The Charter defines agreement and ensures correct consideration is given when people get involved in projects (see below).
 
The Conference also committed itself to surveying service users about their involvement. This was to be designed to identify the extent to which service user involvement initiatives were currently in place and how these initiatives might be developed and strengthened.
 
Download a summary of the report (MS Word doc - 110kb)
Download the full report (MS Word doc - 330kb)
 
 
THE PORTSMOUTH SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT CHARTER
 
Those with experience of using services should be involved in improving the quality of services and participate in decisions about the way they are designed and managed.
 
People should be able to contribute to these processes in a range of ways; with every aspect, including planning, purchasing, prioritising, monitoring, reviewing and staff recruitment/training.
 
Involvement should be an on-going, developmental process, not a one-off project or exercise.
 
Before involving people it is necessary to ask:
 

  • Are the reasons for involving people clear?
  • Is there commitment to the process?
  • Is there adequate funding?
  • Is there commitment to act upon service users involvment?
  • Is there a service user involvement strategy?

The Charter opposite is a two-way process and hopes to bring about a positive partnership for meaningful and valuable experiences.
 

THE CHARTER


When facilitating service user involvement activity, service users and organisations should:-

  • Be clear about payment and out of pocket expenses which should be agreed before involvement begins
  • Provide the opportunity to discuss and agree roles, responsibilities, boundaries and commitment, which will include and consider training needs
  • Determine support arrangements to include pre-meetings and de-briefings as necessary
  • Hold meetings at a time and a place convenient to service users
  • Ensure introductions are made at every meeting or activity
  • Treat service users with respect and have regard for individual needs
  • Give feedback on decisions made and the impact of service user involvment
  • Involve service users in all aspects, including decision and policy making
  • Keep in contact and provide relevant, up to the minute information to those involved, avoiding or explaining technical jargon where possible

Successful involvement derives from a genuine and positive partnership, mutually respecting the contribution of all
 
Download a copy of the Charter as a PDF doc.


 
DO YOU WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED?
 
If so, download and fill in the form below, then send or take it to James Gagliardini c/o Portsmouth Mind, Fratton Community Centre, Trafalgar Place, Portsmouth PO1 5JJ. Or you could email it to: James.Gagliardini@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. The Development Worker will then make contact for an informal chat. If you would like more information regarding service user involvement you can call James on 07834 750981, have a look at what we've done so far or read the feedback from the Reference Group March 2007 and June 2007.
 
Download The Service User Experience Form (Word doc - 3Mb)
 
Find out how you can help by downloading a copy of the latest leaflet (March 2008)
 


 
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