User involvement in student selection the Department of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, LSBU Enkanah Soobadoo, Jenny Rooks & Aloyse Raptopolous

User involvement in Departmental activities has been established for more than 10 years

Main areas of user involvement Curriculum development Teaching and learning Assessment, e.g. OSCEs, practice feedback Student selection and recruitment. Recruitment always involves academic staff, service staff and service users

Student selection day process Numeracy test Literacy test Observed group discussion Individual interview

User involvement in student selection process Involved in all parts of the process Undertake group discussion observation and completion of rating scale Equal member of individual interview panel and ask agreed questions Part of the final discussion to decide whether to offer an applicant a place

Benefits of involving service users Potential for care & compassion can be explored Experience of services can inform decision Shared view of good practice potential Inclusion in to the programme and shaping nurses of the future Developmental benefits for service users involved

Some challenges Budgetary implications (users are paid visiting lecturer rates; pre-registration nursing recruitment involves high number of selection days to meet commissioned recruitment targets) Can be stressful and demanding when combined with life events Need sufficient pool of service users to ensure consistent involvement and equal opportunities for candidates

Support arrangements Agreed protocols for involvement in terms of process and payment issues User Advisory Group Service User Co-ordinator User led training for involvement which includes recruitment and selection Some service users have been supported to undertake PGCE in teaching and learning