Service users commend participation strategy

25 May 2007

The results of this year's review show that the majority of service users are satisfied with St Christopher's service user participation strategy. Many also had positive ideas to put forward regarding areas where they would like even more say.

100% of young people in residential care replied that the strategy is still relevant and is what they want, and while only 46% answered that, as far as they know, we are doing the things we said we would, this is because the residents of homes that have only recently become part of St Christopher's were unaware of what we had said we would do (see list below). The young people suggested that they would like more say in areas such as holidays, pocket money, rules (including later bedtimes/more free time), activities and leisure resources.

86% of supported housing service users replied that the strategy is still relevant and is what they want, and 76% answered that, as far as they know, we are doing the things we said we would.

The supported housing service users would like to be more involved in decisions regarding rules, and in strategic housing decisions such as move-on policy. They felt adequately consulted about local issues, but would like more say in those relating to the wider organization.

The survey shows that service users are generally happy with the areas covered by the existing strategy. The response was more positive from users of our housing and support services, which is to be expected as the participation service was initially more focused on housing and support. Now that our service user participation officer has more concrete targets relating to children's services, we are confident that this disparity will be addressed.

Service users' suggestions will be incorporated into the new strategy as appropriate, along with those from staff and Board members.

The background - 2005

Two years ago we asked what service users thought about the main points of St Christopher's participation strategy. This is what people said then:

• 89% thought service user representatives for each project were a good idea
• 94% thought local groups of service users meeting four times a year was a good idea
• 92% wanted to be asked their opinion about St Christopher's policies
• 83% thought service user involvement in interviewing new staff was a good idea
• 91% thought service users should be involved in monitoring service delivery
• 89% thought service users should be involved in planning the Celebration of Achievement event
• 87% thought service users should be able to communicate their ideas to the Board of Trustees
• 85% thought training to help service users get involved was a good idea.