Obtaining the views of people who use forensic services

1. Obtaining the views of people who use forensic services Dr Lisa Curtice Director, Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability (SCLD)

2. Reasons for obtaining these views • To assess quality of services through the perspectives of people who experience them • To make policies robust through research and evaluation • To ensure representation in consultations • To develop skills

3. Obtaining the views of people with learning disabilities an adaptation of good research practice

4. Information and consent Accessible information in different formats Time taken to check out consent

5. Interview schedule Relevant to person’s situation Flexible – follow stories if necessary Check out understanding Allow for wide range of verbal engagement

6. Conduct of interview Identify communication needs first Consider role of proxy/supporter Allow for interruptions Give permission to stop Recording not a sufficient record

7. Analysis Framework analysis can be used to identify and reflect on themes

8. Confidentiality and reporting • Clear agreement with interviewee • Any limits to confidentiality • Use of their information • Form of reporting • What feedback they will get • Storage of information • Sample details locked and passworded • Identifying information stored separately from interviews • Limited access to data • Reporting • Care with data linkage • Attention to details that may identify

9. Particular features of research in forensic settings determined by: • Characteristics of people interviewed • Status of people interviewed • The setting

10. Specific features of forensic settings • access is challenging • background information and corroboration can be absent • balance between empowerment and support in the interview situation • need for particular care with disclosure and confidentiality

11. Example of ‘The same as you?’ evaluation Conducted on behalf of Scottish Government

12. Methodology Inclusive Research Methodology Evidence Scoping Interviews with people with learning disabilities and family carers Consultation

13. Who did we want to speak to? • 50 people in total • A range of ages • Men and women • Different living situations • A range of different needs • 50 people in total • A range of different needs People with learning disabilities Family carers

14. Living situation – people with learning disabilities 18 in family home living independently or with support 5 group home 4forensic services

15. Views and experiences Experiences can help identify what information and support is needed “ I’m trying to get out. I don’t know what to do..or somewhere that helps you with people with learning difficulties..no one has talked to me about it.”

16. Forums • User and Carer Forum brings together people with a wide range of experiences • They have developed resources such as “Supporting You to Support Us” • Tier 4 Services in Greater Glasgow and Clyde have a service redesign forum • A member of this forum sits on the national Modernising Learning Disability Nursing group

17. Benefits of forums • Hearing other views • Working in a group • Staff may see people differently • Peer support • Growth in confidence – experience of having views heard • Opportunity to develop skills – getting views across in different ways • Views can make a difference if forum is respected by managers • May open other doors

18. Lisa CurticeChloë Trew Consider joining the Scottish inclusive learning disability research network lisa.c@scld.co.uk 0141 418 5420 www.scld.org.uk and images from Talk for Scotland toolkit