Oxfordshire DAAT recognises that effective user involvement informs commissioning processes and improves treatment provision and outcomes for individuals.

OVERVIEW

Between 2002 and 2005 Oxfordshire DAAT employed a User Involvement Co-ordinator to promote and develop user involvement in Oxfordshire's drug treatment system. This development post has now ended as user involvement has become embedded in Oxfordshire DAAT's planning and review processes, and is required of drug treatment and criminal justice providers as part of service level agreements and contracts.

Oxfordshire DAAT supports Oxfordshire User Team (OUT) in representing drug users in local decision making and promoting harm reduction. It also supports services in developing user involvement mechanisms and other related user groups.

User involvement is central to the National Treatment Agency's treatment effectiveness agenda, and D(A)ATs are required to evidence user involvement in annual treatment plans.

Oxfordshire DAAT strives to advance user involvement on three levels:

• Promoting user involvement in individual care - Through providing information on quality standards, rights and responsibilities in accessing drug services and promoting care planning and advocacy.
• Encouraging user participation in service provision - User feedback on existing services highlights both problem areas and good working practice. User participation in service planning, delivery and evaluation is an invaluable organisational resource that also offers the opportunity for inclusion and personal development to the user.
• Ensuring user consultation in strategic decision making - Ongoing user input to the planning of drug treatment provision and policy setting removes barriers, improves access to treatment, and improves quality and choice.

Oxfordshire DAAT has a three year User Involvement Strategy (2006-9). All provider agencies accessed by drug users and their carers have a responsibility to involve users in the planning and evaluation of their services. The strategy and action plan sets out progress to date and priorities for the next 3 years, identifying key aims and 6 strategic objectives.

KEY AIMS

• Increase effective drug user involvement in services in Oxfordshire accessed by drug users
• Increase effective drug user involvement in strategic planning, delivery and review
• Improve health and social care for drug and alcohol users and their carers
  
• Promote harm reduction to users, carers and provider agencies

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

1. Provide a strategic framework for drug user involvement in Oxfordshire.
2. Promote user involvement and users' rights to individual drug users and their carers
3. Encourage drug service providers and generic services accessed by drug users to adopt user involvement mechanisms
4. Ensure access to independent advocacy for drug users and their carers
5. Support peer led interventions and initiatives aimed at drug users

For further information please contact Sam Read.

User Involvement Strategy pdf

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