Meaningful Involvement

Accessibility and Inclusivity
a. Service users’ involvement activities are accessible to and inclusive of the User Panel members and within the meaning of the current and future equalities legislation
b. National Voices will give particular consideration to the needs of people with impaired sight or hearing or who have learning difficulties; people whose first language is not English or who cannot read at all and people with special access requirements

c. National Voices will take steps to ensure that the views of younger people, older people, people from ethnic minority communities, the refugee community, the travellers’ community and others whose views are frequently excluded or overlooked, are actively sought as part of involvement that is inclusive and representative of the entire service user community

d. Where National Voices User Panel is not representative of some community or groups, National Voices will develop additional involvement approaches to ensure that these individuals and/or groups have a voice. These may include:

  • Liaising directly with agencies or organisations that represent these individuals or groups
  • Gathering of systematic intelligence from and about these groups via research
  • Engage these groups via direct and/or informal consultations, using their expressed preferences of/for involvement which are likely to include face to face meetings, delegated outreach etc

Informed Opinion
a. National Voices involvement will aim to seek informed service users’ opinion and not just instant reaction
b. Whenever possible, National Voices communication mechanisms will be used alongside consultation to inform and stimulate service users’ interest, particularly in relation to major policy issues and agendas

Clarity of Purpose
a. Any involvement activity and/or session will come with a clear statement describing why it is being carried out and how the results will be used
b. The way the involvement links with National Voices’ wider corporate objectives, work programmes and policy initiatives will also be described

Involving Member Organisations
a. National Voices member organizations will be provided with clear information to them about opportunities to get involved in the User Panel and what it aims to achieve
b. Guidance will be provided to National Voices member organisations that nominate members of the User Panel to ensure that high and consistent standards of membership of the User Panel is achieved and adhered to

Planning & Timelines
a. Members of the Users Panel will be given adequate time to prepare their response
b. It is recognised that the length of time will vary depending on the time of year, season, issues etc and the level of response that is being sought
c. Sufficient time will be allowed for the results of involvement activities to be collated, analysed and considered, so that the results feed directly into policy responses
d. User Panel activities will be coordinated to ensure lack of duplication and the best use of resources which will lead to increased levels of participation

Evidence based decisions, evaluation and feedback
a. National Voices will adopt clear processes of involvement which, wherever possible, produce results that are measurable and can be evaluated objectively
b. The findings and outcome of involvement and User Panel activities will be fed back to participants and promoted to ensure maximum value
c. The full range of views expressed during involvement will be acknowledged and attention drawn to areas of agreement and disagreement
d. The results of involvement sessions will be weighed carefully together with other evidence and considerations
e. The effectiveness of involvement sessions and/or activities will be evaluated and the results shared to encourage broader lessons to be learnt
f. Evaluation will consider not only the number of responses received but also the quality, cost and timeliness of the involvement and the overall usefulness of the results in helping to inform policies and strategic decisions in health and social
g. Accessible feedback will be provided both on the results of involvement and on how they have been used, in order to encourage greater User Panel’s participation in the future
h. The impact that the User Panel involvement activities have on policy and service planning and delivery in health and social care will be explained and shared on a regular basis and best practice will be shared with members and other stakeholders.

Appropriateness of methods
a. National Voices will use a wide range of involvement methods
b. They will be used appropriately, reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of each method and will be managed with a clear understanding of the particular skills, knowledge and resources that meets the needs of members of the User Panel