A summary of a SCIE position paper which used a literature review and practice survey to identify good practice in carer participation. The summary presents key findings under the headings: Are carers participating?; Are all sorts of carers getting involved?; How is carer participation happening; How good is the evidence?; What is the situation with individual carer assessments? Barriers to carer participation? What works in carers participation?; and similarities with carer participation. Overall, the current picture suggests that carer participation is happening, however, the extent to which it is functioning and evaluated is not clear.
A summary of a SCIE position paper which used a literature review and practice survey to identify good practice in carer participation. The summary presents key findings under the headings: Are carers participating?; Are all sorts of carers getting involved?; How is carer participation happening; How good is the evidence?; What is the situation with individual carer assessments? Barriers to carer participation? What works in carers participation?; and similarities with carer participation. Overall, the current picture suggests that carer participation is happening, however, the extent to which it is functioning and evaluated is not clear.
This briefing reports on a study of how Carers Scotland helped to ensure carers views were included in new community care legislation by the Scottish Parliament.
This briefing reports on a study of how Carers Scotland helped to ensure carers views were included in new community care legislation by the Scottish Parliament.
Having been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 70, Brian and his wife June now actively participate in planning dementia care services in Gloucestershire. The film illustrates the range of activities they are involved in - developing a ‘Living Well Handbook’, giving talks and helping shape training tools. It also highlights how commissioners, support organisations and carers all have a role
Having been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 70, Brian and his wife June now actively participate in planning dementia care services in Gloucestershire. The film illustrates the range of activities they are involved in - developing a ‘Living Well Handbook’, giving talks and helping shape training tools. It also highlights how commissioners, support organisations and carers all have a role to play in enabling the person with dementia to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of others. Brian also believes that the person with dementia benefits too, through knowing that they are doing something worthwhile. This film has now been reviewed and is available under the new title 'Dementia: participation in development of dementia care.'
Subject terms:
social care provision, user participation, carers, dementia;
Journal of Care Services Management, 7(2), 2013, pp.58-60.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Baroness [Jill] Pitkeathley traces the development of the carers movement in the UK and assesses its impact. She concludes that it has been of vital significance in formulating and driving policy in health and social care. Its work is far from over though and a strong voice for carers will continue to be important in the future especially in view of our aging population and the pressure on health
(Publisher abstract)
Baroness [Jill] Pitkeathley traces the development of the carers movement in the UK and assesses its impact. She concludes that it has been of vital significance in formulating and driving policy in health and social care. Its work is far from over though and a strong voice for carers will continue to be important in the future especially in view of our aging population and the pressure on health and social care budgets.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
carers, user participation, service users, policy formulation;
In the UK, almost 6 million people provide some form of unpaid care to a friend, relative or neighbour. This pilot study investigated the interest of minority ethnic informal carers, with no previous experience, in engaging in research. Ten adult carers were recruited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews and another 10 adult carers were recruited to participate in two separate focus groups through the Carers Federation and Derbyshire Carers Association, aimed at exploring the attitudes carers had to research alongside the motivators and de-motivators to their involvement in carer-led projects. Findings revealed that carers were interested in initiatives with a practical beneficial outcome for themselves or those they looked after. Participants identified interpreter
In the UK, almost 6 million people provide some form of unpaid care to a friend, relative or neighbour. This pilot study investigated the interest of minority ethnic informal carers, with no previous experience, in engaging in research. Ten adult carers were recruited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews and another 10 adult carers were recruited to participate in two separate focus groups through the Carers Federation and Derbyshire Carers Association, aimed at exploring the attitudes carers had to research alongside the motivators and de-motivators to their involvement in carer-led projects. Findings revealed that carers were interested in initiatives with a practical beneficial outcome for themselves or those they looked after. Participants identified interpreter and translation resources, gender sensitivity and flexibility around their involvement as major considerations. Carers’ perceptions of their transferable skills from personal or professional experiences to research were closely linked to their willingness to engage in carer-led studies. Implications for future research are discussed.
Subject terms:
research skills, user participation, carers, black and minority ethnic people;
British Journal of Social Work, 42(7), 2012, pp.1256-1274.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
The need to involve service users and carers in social work education has become widely accepted. However, there is an ongoing concern that this involvement must be meaningful. This paper explores debates about the meaningful involvement of service users and carers in advanced post-qualifying education. A qualitative study was conducted that involved 29 stakeholders in post-qualifying education including service users, carers, social workers, lecturers and managers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and a self-complete questionnaire. The findings showed that most participants supported the idea of service user involvement in advanced post-qualifying education, but there were differences between participants about what they thought was the main purpose of service user and carer involvement and how this should be carried out. Four predominant models of involvement were identified (consultation, partnership, political and user control) that have different implications for how service users and carers may be engaged in advanced post-qualifying social work education. Further research is required to understand the effect of these different models on outcomes for social workers and the service users and carers they work with.
The need to involve service users and carers in social work education has become widely accepted. However, there is an ongoing concern that this involvement must be meaningful. This paper explores debates about the meaningful involvement of service users and carers in advanced post-qualifying education. A qualitative study was conducted that involved 29 stakeholders in post-qualifying education including service users, carers, social workers, lecturers and managers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and a self-complete questionnaire. The findings showed that most participants supported the idea of service user involvement in advanced post-qualifying education, but there were differences between participants about what they thought was the main purpose of service user and carer involvement and how this should be carried out. Four predominant models of involvement were identified (consultation, partnership, political and user control) that have different implications for how service users and carers may be engaged in advanced post-qualifying social work education. Further research is required to understand the effect of these different models on outcomes for social workers and the service users and carers they work with.
Subject terms:
service users, social work education, user participation, carers;
There is a wealth of information available to local authorities to assist them to improve their engagement with social services users and carers. This report, and its accompanying online resource directory, aims to disseminate learning from local experiences of service user and carer involvement across Social Service departments in Wales. The project forms part of the Social Services Improvement across Wales; focus groups held with service users, carers and representatives from advocacy organisations; and a review of the literature. The resource content is divided into 3 areas: notable practice examples from Wales; examples from elsewhere; and websites and other resources.
There is a wealth of information available to local authorities to assist them to improve their engagement with social services users and carers. This report, and its accompanying online resource directory, aims to disseminate learning from local experiences of service user and carer involvement across Social Service departments in Wales. The project forms part of the Social Services Improvement Agency (SSIA) ‘Getting Engaged’ work programme, which aims to develop effective models of user and carer engagement in the planning and delivery of social services. A variety of methods have been used to capture experiences of service user and carer involvement in order to inform the development of these resources, including: an online survey distributed within local authorities and other organisation across Wales; focus groups held with service users, carers and representatives from advocacy organisations; and a review of the literature. The resource content is divided into 3 areas: notable practice examples from Wales; examples from elsewhere; and websites and other resources.
Subject terms:
local authorities, service users, user participation, carers;
Provides examples of notable practice in the area of user and carer engagement and participation. The examples cover a wide range of user groups, including: young people; older people; looked after children.
Provides examples of notable practice in the area of user and carer engagement and participation. The examples cover a wide range of user groups, including: young people; older people; looked after children.
If service users and carers are involved in planning and reviewing social care services, the services are more likely to meet their needs. This leaflet provides eight basic principles for involving service users and carers in social care work. These are presented in brief bullet points. These principles support the rights of individual service users and carers to be heard, valued and respected.
If service users and carers are involved in planning and reviewing social care services, the services are more likely to meet their needs. This leaflet provides eight basic principles for involving service users and carers in social care work. These are presented in brief bullet points. These principles support the rights of individual service users and carers to be heard, valued and respected. They have been signed up to by: the General Social Care Council; the Commission for Social Care Inspection; Skills for Care; and the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
Subject terms:
social work, social care provision, user participation, carers;
Social Work Education (The International Journal), 28(7), October 2009, pp.691-706.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This paper describes a teaching and learning initiative developed in a UK social work programme, in the context of a new social work degree in the UK. The initiative involved carers, service users, academic social work staff and practitioners. Post-graduate student social workers spent 24 hours in agreed periods with family carers or people who use social work services. The paper explains
This paper describes a teaching and learning initiative developed in a UK social work programme, in the context of a new social work degree in the UK. The initiative involved carers, service users, academic social work staff and practitioners. Post-graduate student social workers spent 24 hours in agreed periods with family carers or people who use social work services. The paper explains the origins of this initiative, rooted in a model of service user and carer involvement established over a number of years within the social work programme at the University of Dundee, Scotland. The development of this teaching and learning method is outlined and an account is given by a family carer describing their experience of being involved in the programme. Findings from the evaluation of this first year of operation are reported and comprise the views of participating hosts, students, agencies, university lecturers and teachers. On the basis of the findings the authors endorse this learning method to all involved in social work education.
Subject terms:
social work education, teaching methods, user participation, carers;