1. User and Carer action: building participation as our own? Andy Cheng a.cheng@sussex.ac.uk Prof. Peter Beresford OBE peter.beresford@brunel.ac.uk Pete Fleischmann pete.fleischmann@scie.org.uk

2. In this presentation (Introductions) What is SWEP The need we are addressing How genuine user-control contributes to the building of capacity From the Service Users point of view

3. SWEP Social Work Education Participation (SWEP) SWEP is essentially two things: 1.a growing collection of information – good practice examples, key policy documents and useful discussions about the field created by and for service users, carers, students and educators. 2.a developing national forum intended to enable carers and service users to participate meaningfully the development of service user and carer involvement in social work and health care education.

4. Rooted in Research SCIE Report 28: Developing user involvement in social work education SCIE Report 29: Carers as partners in social work education

5. Bournemouth Brunel SussexAnglia RuskinBrightonChester & Community Action SWEP FOCUSADKCCiPDCiP/MHSUCCESSSOLECDPaMaze Warrington Carers

6. About the research - At a glance Key Messages included: the mandatory involvement of users and carers in social work education is a very exciting and powerful policy development valuing the knowledge of users and carers and recognising that this is different from, but equal to, professional and academic knowledge is of critical importance to the success of programmes it is important that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) recognise the differences between users and carers and make careful preparation in order to manage these differences appropriately it is vital that HEIs engage with local user and carer groups as these can provide help with assembling a wider pool of users and carers and can ensure that the activity is truly user and carer led

7. However, The involvement of service users and carers in Social Work Education in England includes some good practice, this practice is patchy at best.

8. Strategic Work Groups Governance & Funds Web Promotion & events

9. But we are nothing without Values Inclusively Equality of access Clarity Openness & honesty Respect Participation Independent Living values Regional as well as National

10. SWEP: A strategic user and carer led initiative

11. Who are service users?

12. Building trust between service users and carers

13. Addressing diversity in involvement

14. Social Work: ahead of other professions and disciples with user and carer involvement

15. Building trust between service users, carers and professionals: a key step for change

16. Ensuring sustainability and continuity: key components

17. User and Carer action: building participation as our own? Andy Cheng a.cheng@sussex.ac.uk Prof. Peter Beresford peter.beresford@brunel.ac.uk Pete Fleischmann pete.fleischmann@scie.org.uk