1. Service User and Carer Involvement in Social Work Education: Learning from experience Dr Eleni Skoura-Kirk, Lecturer in Social Work CCCU Presentation at the Working in Partnership Conference, 10— 12 March 2008

2. Introduction Present experience of service user and carer involvement as part of social work education at CCCU Project funded by GSCC and Skills for Care, started April 2007

3. Whole systems approach towards participation Successful participation reaches beyond specific events to include a whole overarching approach (Kirby et al, 2003; Wright et al, 2006) values structures actions

4. Levels of participation (adapted by Arnstein, 1969)

5. Project aims: To promote the inclusion of service user and carer perspectives within the social work educational programme offered at the University to facilitate networking and collaborative opportunities for service user and carer groups across Kent and Medway.

6. Plan implementation Mapping exercise Steering group Service user groups Training and support Networking opportunities

7. A) Mapping exercise of existing involvement work across Kent and Medway Took place June-September 2007 Based on questionnaire designed by existing Experts by Experience group, as part of their research training Sent to social care organsiations

8. Mapping exercise findings Service user and carer involvement a common aim Existing innovative work across agencies Lack of networking opportunities Lack of feedback at a regional and national level

9. B) Steering group Through event members of the steering group were recruited. Steering group mainly made up of service users and carers. Meeting monthly, consistent membership at the moment

10. C) Service user groups Three main groups originally identified, based on existing or new links: Experts by Experience group (mental health) Young people (leaving care, homelessness) People with learning difficulties, challenging behaviour

11. Service user groups cont. Further expansion planned to include older people, people with physical disabilities, carers, amongst others. Recruitment efforts to include existing service users and carers (workshop format, contact with agencies, mentoring role)

12. D) Training and support Recognised need and good practice to avoid 'tick-box' involvement (Turner, 2008; Levin, 2004; (Branfield et al, 2007) Training programme planned (Jan- June 2008) Topics include information on higher education, teaching and learning, personal skills.

13. Training and support cont. Service users to be used as trainers. Service user registered as part-time students with CCCU

14. E) Networking opportunities Website Database Plans for a regional newsletter Plans for a regional charter Long-term aim to promote feedback at a national level (SCIE recommendation)

15. Learning from experience: Good practice Recognise existing expertise Aim at involvement on all levels Transparency of structures and roles important Use of group meetings beneficial Access to resources Offer training and support

16. Challenges: Payment and the benefits system Risk of 'burn-out' for those involved Ensuring representativeness in terms of groups Ensuring representativeness in terms of perspectives Resource implications

17. References Arnstein, S. R. (1969) A Ladder of Citizen Participation, Journal of the American Planning Association, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 216-224)American Planning Association Branfield F. and Beresford, P. with Eamon J. Andrews, Patricia Chambers, Patsy Staddon, Grace Wise and Bob Williams-Findlay, (2006) Making service user involvement work: Supporting service user networking and knowledge, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

18. References (2) Branfield, F. Beresford, M. and Levin, E (2007) Position paper 7: Common aims: a strategy to support service user involvement in social work education, SCIE/Shaping Our Lives National Network Department of Health, (2002), Requirements for Social Work Education, Kirby, P., Lanyon, C., Cronin, K. and Sinclair, R. (2003) Building a culture of participation, London: Department for Education and Skills.

19. References (3) Levin, E. (2004) Involving Service Users and Carers in Social Work Education, London: SCIE Turner, M. Shaping Our Lives National User Network, http://www.swap.ac.uk/learning/usersw2.asp), accessed 5/3/2008 http://www.swap.ac.uk/learning/usersw2.asp Wright at al, (2006) Practice guide 6: Involving children and young people in developing social care, SCIE