User Involvement Project
Gateshead Access Panel's success has always been based on the way we work with service users. We always encourage the people whose lives are affected by local policy decisions to give their views and experiences when policy is being planned.
By getting involved at development and planning stages, disabled people can not only learn more about the services and support they are entitled to, but they can influence the way services are provided.
Gateshead Access Panel have a good working relationship with Gateshead Council, Local Health Authorities and the Local Transport Authority. We get service users to regular meetings where we are consulted on various aspects of service provision taking place throughout the borough Gateshead and beyond.
What is Service User Involvement?
In the early years, Gateshead Access Panel members got together to talk about their experiences of how badly designed buildings affected them. These ‘Focus Groups’ met with local authority workers to give access advice. Since then these ‘Focus Groups’ have got bigger and give advice to local authorities on lots of services, such as - Education, Employment, Transport and Housing. Anyone who uses these services is a ‘Service User’ and the ‘Involvement’ is about attending meetings and meeting with the local authorities to talk about problems and give advice.
Conflicts of Interest in Service User Involvement?
Gateshead Access Panel have been looking at their Conflicts of Interest and Service User Involvement Policy / Strategies. The document started as a base for GAP's policies for PQCASSO (Practical Quality Control Assurance Systems for Small Organisations). At the present time statutory organisations are developing their own strategies on Service User Involvement and GAP feel that it is important for the Statutory Sector to understand the Conflicts of Interest around Service User Involvement from a charitable/voluntary organisations point of view. Other Voluntary Organisations will or may have different issues to consider but GAP hope that by providing this discussion document they can allow a greater understanding between organisations of the issues concerning Service User Involvement and the potential, actual or perceived Conflicts of Interest associated with this. Use this link to view the document. Conflicts of Interest in Service User Involvement
Contact Ian -
Tel 0191 443 0058
Fax 0191 487 7298
E-mail ian@access-gateshead.org.uk