Authors: Lynne Coulson Barr, Keir Saltmarsh
Year: 2017
Event: 2017 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Policy, Strategy,Community, Culture, Society,Change, Innovation, Reform,Service Systems, Delivery, Implementation,Workforce,Clinical Issues,Lived Experience, Recovery
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: The establishment of mental health community reference and advisory groups has long been considered an effective means of utilising the lived experience in the decision making process. The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner’s Advisory Council was established to facilitate consumer and community input to organisational strategy and is a corner-stone approach to achieving representation of priority population groups in organisational decision-making, such as LGBTI, Aboriginal people, young people, and people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
But the effectiveness of such groups relies on the skills of each individual, their unique knowledge and lived experiences, and their ability to work together as a team. This presentation explores the foundational work required to recruit to an advisory council of diverse, skilful and dedicated members. This work includes strong co-production and consultation in developing the overarching policies and terms of reference, and the implementation a broad recruitment strategy focussed on accessibility. The presentation also examines the work required to establish the council as a collaborative and cohesive team that is empowered to effectively advise and drive organisational strategy and change.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: Audience members will gain an understanding and learn the work required within a co-production model is extensive and that it takes an inordinate amount of time to recruit a high functioning group of committed Mental Health Complaints Commissioner (MHCC) Advisory Council members.
Learning Objective 2: Much work is required to set a contemporary tone and produce targeted documents in order to attract a high functioning group and a large pool of candidates. The recruitment net must be cast wide in order to satisfy both Government and community expectations. Attendees will learn the methods and use of the lived experience expertise within an organisation to recruit to, and maintain an effective advisory, decision making body.
Any person who uses public mental health services in Victoria in a compulsory and non-compulsory manner, has the right to make a complaint about the service they receive. The role, functions and powers of the MHCC is complimented and enhanced by an effective Advisory Council. Broad systemic issues about Mental Health Service delivery are often contained in the complaints received by the MHCC. This presentation explains how the Advisory Council works with the Commissioner in helping to resolve mental health issues raised in complaints.
References
Mental Health Act 2014, No.26 of 2014
Mental Health Act 2014, No. 26 of 2014, Part 10-Complaints
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