Is Genuine Participation of Service Users in the Homeless Sector Possible as a Quality Principle?

Workshop 7: Is genuineparticipation of service usersin the homeless sectorpossible as a qualityprinciple? FEHÉR Boróka, Budapest, BMSZKI Presenting the ideas of the Participation Working Group Luxembourg, 2011. October

1. How would you characterisemeaningful participation inhomeless services? „Participation is a word and an idea that is used a lot in relation to all kinds of decision-making. It refers to howdecisions are made and who is involved in making them – whether it is a high-level political decision or a smaller local decision, affecting only a small group of people. … … Everyone should have the right to have a say in how things are run and all citizens should be included equally in society.”

How would you characterisemeaningful participation inhomeless services?Participation is a way of working that recognizes service users as Citizens with rights Consumers with choices Assets with a unique insight into the practices, policies and perceptions that affect them(from Margaret-Ann Brünjes, Glasgow Homelessness Network)

How would you characterisemeaningful participation inhomeless services?5 stances of Involvement Information Consultation Deciding together Acting together Supporting Independent Initiatives(from Groundswell UK)

How can meaningful participationbe done?Participation Good Practice Compendium from FEANTSA‟s website (http://www.feantsa.org/code/en/pg.asp?Page=808 Values for participation Developing participation structures within homeless organizations Self organization of service users Involvement of service users in policy development Peer working and peer research

How can meaningful participationbe done?The „4p Test‟ – Participation should always have a positive impact at the person level, PLUS one (or more) of the other 3ps practice; policy; perception (Glasgow Homelessness Network)

How can meaningful participationbe done?25 Indicators of Good Practice (diagnostic or self assessment benchmark of GHN) Leadership Organizational policy and commitment Organizational practice and procedures Organizational approach Resources and training EvaluationHighly satisfactory/satisfactory (with room for improvement)/ area that needs attention

How can meaningful participationbe done?Leadership: We have one (or more) staff responsible for service user involvement within our organization. There is an overarching commitment to service user involvement in our organisation

How can meaningful participationbe done?Organisational Policy & Commitment This commitment is shared across all personnel  Frontline staff  Managers/Senior managers  Board of Directors/Management Committee  Volunteers  We have a stated vision and aims for service user involvement.

How can meaningful participationbe done?Organisational Practice & Procedures Our service users are familiar with our vision and aims for service user involvement. We act upon information we receive:  To improve our own service or practice  To feedback to policy makers or other stakeholders We encourage and create an interest in involvement (e.g. included in induction meetings; assessments; residents meetings etc).

How can meaningful participationbe done?Organisational Approach If we need a specific group for the particular activity (e.g. young people; women), we ensure transparency and clarity around how and why people have been selected to take part. We routinely ensure that service users are valued, acknowledged and recognised for their involvement. We ensure that all service user involvement opportunities have positive benefits for the participant (e.g. personal development; learning; social networks; empowerment).

2. Should there be a legal obligation placed on all services users to ensure users‟ participation in the organisation and running of the service? Yes. A legal framework can provide the framework, create leverage to encourage and assist services in being more participatory. In itself it does not ensure meaningful nor efficient participation, but it can be a good start. http://www.feantsa.org/code/en/pg.asp?Page =818

3. What are the challenges to ensuring meaningful participation of service users in homeless services?  Always provide feedback so people involved do not feel ignored, disempowered  Avoid tokenism  „Consultation fatigue”  “Professional service user”  Fear – of staff, of other people‟s opinion, low self-esteem  Resources  If not many changes are being made, it‟s not being done right! (Catri O‟Kane, Simon Community Ireland)

4. What are the success factors in ensuring meaningful participation?  Business Case  it helps service user engagement, higher „stickability”  User involvement is a good check to see if policies and programs work – can be used IN the planning phase!!!  Shared Solutions – Scottish model of co- production being mainstreamed

4. What are the success factors in ensuringmeaningful participation? „People who want to see the end of homelessness the most are people who themselves have been homeless”  Ending homelessness individually  Ending homelessness structurally

Thank you for your attention!The Participation Working Group would like to encourage every service provider to implement its own Participation Strategy!Special thanks to Maggie, Catri and Sanna, as well as all other members of the PWG. fboroka@gmail.com

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Is Genuine Participation of Service Users in the Homeless Sector Possible as a Quality Principle?

by FEANTSA on Sep 13, 2012

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Is Genuine Participation of Service Users in the Homeless Sector Possible as a Quality Principle? Presentation Transcript