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What is Experts by Experience?
Experts By Experience is a service user and carer led initiative responsible for assessing service user and carer involvement in the planning and delivery of voluntary sector mental health services which are commissioned by the Primary Care Trust. The EBE project is managed by CRCC’s Mental Health Project.
Who is EBE?
Experts By Experience (EBE) initially consisted of a Panel of 8 service users and carers who have experience of 3rd sector mental health service provision. They worked alongside the EBE Project Co-ordinator to develop a Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) for monitoring service user and carer involvement in the planning, design and delivery of these services. The Panel has now completed the QAF and recently advertised for more volunteers to assist with the assessments following their training.
How does EBE work?
Each mental health service provider will be visited by a team consisting of the Project Co-ordinator and two trained service users and/or carers (the EBE volunteers) to complete an assessment. This will look at ways in which services users and their carers are involved in organisational processes identified as being important to them.
The audit report will highlight good practice and identify gaps in provision where improvement is required. Each organisation will be required to develop an action plan to demonstrate how they intend to address the areas identified.
Who are the organisations being audited by EBE?
Cornwall Mental Health Project (CRCC)
Pentreath Ltd
Nightlink Service (Re-Gain)
Sea Sanctuary
Rethink Mental Health (Day Service)
Newquay MIND
Restormel MIND Befrienders
Caradon MIND Befrienders
Carrick MIND Befrienders
West Cornwall MIND Befrienders
SEAP (Advocacy)
Oakleigh House – The Sanctuary (Re-Gain)
How do we know EBE is effective?
Following each assessment and initial considerations relating to the QAF Standards, the EBE volunteers will receive a copy of the report for final consultation. This report will be detailed, outlining suggested improvements and measures designed to promote and enhance positive outcomes for service users, their carers, the organisations and their workforce. If the assessors consider the evidence provided is insufficient to meet the Standards, then a follow up review will be made.
There are two appointed EBE representatives from the Panel who will report quarterly their findings to the Primary Care Trust Joint Commissioning Board, in particular, where there are gaps in service user and/or carer involvement and where evidence shows good practice of their involvement relating to the Standards.
All the EBE volunteers will hold a final meeting at the end of the Project when all assessments have been carried out. This will be to reflect on such areas as what worked well, what could be improved upon etc. They will also look at the future of EBE and other organisations the QAF might be transferable to. For example, changes in legislation which may affect mental health services in Cornwall and how they can be introduced and monitored as part of the quality initiative.
Read the Foreword sent to organisations prior to audit
Contact:
Dawn Harris
Experts By Experience (Adult Mental Health) Co-ordinator
2 Princes Street
Truro
TR1 2ES
Tel: 01872 243532
Email: dawn.harris@cornwallrcc.org.uk
For Volunteers
