1. — Learnings from doing a co-produced evaluation of the Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service by consumer evaluators and RMIT University academics
2018 Service User Academia Symposium
16th November 2018
Matthew Dale
Brendan Johnson
Susan Alvarez-Vasquez
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Centre for Social and Global Studies

2. Definition of co-production
co-design, including planning of services
co-decision making in the allocation of resources
co-delivery of services, including the role of volunteers in providing the service
co-evaluation of the service
opportunity to produce academic research papers
Löffler, E. (2009) ‘A future research agenda for co-production: overview paper’, in Local Authorities & Research Councils’ Initiative (2010) Co-production: A series of commissioned reports, Swindon: Research Councils UK.

3. What is the Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) service?
Relational
Independent
Representational
Non-legal
Advocacy
A relational model of independent representational non-legal advocacy

4. Why is IMHA being evaluated?
Legal Aid funded inquiry into how the IMHA service was performing after first two years of operation to ensure appropriateness of funding.
To see how the current advocacy service can be improved and made more efficient and effective

5. Consumer Evaluators involvement in IMHA evaluation
Design of the evaluation plan with the Senior Consumer Consultant at IMHA
Assisting in the design of both consumer and health clinician interviews and surveys
Assisting RMIT academics in face to face as well as telephone interviews with both consumers and health clinicians
Providing feedback and opinion on various documents used during the evaluation
Collection of data and analysis for evaluation

6. Benefits of doing a co-produced evaluation
Consumer perspective is valuable
Contributing a range of strengths, knowledge, understanding, backgrounds and abilities
Staff having access to a range of different networks and resources
Break down the barriers between people who use services and professionals
Facilitate services by helping organisation's to become agents for change rather than just being service providers

7. Challenges of doing a co-produced evaluation
Difference of opinion on some elements of work
Uneven sharing of responsibilities for doing evaluation
Dividing up of workloads- including the clarity of each members role and the rationale behind these decisions
Opportunity to be engaged with research can be hampered by availability, as consumer have a variety priorities- from staying well to employment

8. Lessons to take away from co-production
Good results can be produced and are possible
A need to be organised and communicate well with all members of the team, including when members come and go
Role clarity allows each team member to prepare as required, especially if tasks are new or unfamiliar
Consumers are often looking for opportunities to upskill and training if available should be offered

9. — QUESTIONS??? email:matthew.dale@rmit.edu.au
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