Issue 1—June 2015
Specialist Services Spotlight
What are CQUINS? You may have heard the term CQUIN mentioned and not be sure as to what they are or why they are important to us and our service users. CQUIN stands for Commissioning for Quality and Innovation. They were introduced in 2009 to make a proportion of the money the Trust receives dependent on us being able to show improvements in quality and innovation is specific areas. They are set every year and last year the Specialist Services Network had eight CQUIN schemes to work towards and contributed to two trust-wide ones. All Specialist Service Network CQUINS were successfully completed by March 2015. An example of such a scheme is the Deaf Recovery Package CQUIN. The John Denmark Unit, in collaboration with other mental health and deaf services in England, developed a new recovery tool and package for deaf service users. “All About Me” is a recovery package designed by deaf service users, for deaf service users and is now being used to structure recovery planning nationally.
CQUINS don’t just relate to patient care but also carers. Both the Adult Secure Services and the Gardener Unit had CQUINS relating to carer involvement and engagement. Carers were consulted about their experiences and outcome plans have been developed in response. As a direct result, a new carers information pack has been introduced and a welcome video has been made which is now shown in reception areas. Adult Secure Services have introduced a Carer Engagement Strategy that outlines what engagement means and in the next 12 months they will be rolling out a framework for engagement across the Network.
The National Deaf Recovery CQUIN Group
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Café Success for Service Users In April 2015, the Occupational Therapy team at the Edenfield Centre along with current service users took over the running of the on-site café which is open to staff, patients and visitors. This has been an exciting opportunity to offer vocational work placements to patients, with each shift run jointly by OT staff and patient co-workers. Patients with clinical team approval are given the opportunity to express an interest in the work placement and attend an informal interview. The transition was made easier by taking over the business as a going concern and the training and support provided by staff and management previously involved in the Edenfield Link Café’s day to day operation. Regular meetings and training are being offered to workers. Level 1 Food Safety and Hygiene training will be delivered on-site with candidates given support as needed. Patients will receive regular reviews and appraisals, with references being provided for further opportunities and CPA reviews in some cases.
The opportunity to work in the café is linked to a Catering Vocational Pathway, with a possible work placement being offered at the Waterdale restaurant, a larger scale staff patient and visitor restaurant located in the hospital grounds. Further opportunities of vocational work placements in the community are being explored. In addition to this, an on-site purpose built commercial standard kitchen is under construction which will be used for the preparation of fresh food which can then be sold in the Edenfield Link Café. There is real excitement about the prospect of expanding the product range and building on people’s transferable skills and confidence. Qualitative feedback is being sought regularly from patients about the experience of being part of a hospitality work force. Here is some feedback from two of the workers: “It’s good working here as it teaches you skills like using the till, and you have a good laugh with the customers and staff”. “It’s good meeting different people. It’s a new challenge and I enjoy it”.
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Getting to know you... In each issue, there will be an interview with a member of staff who will explain their role. This time it is Ruqayyah Karajada who is Volunteer Co -ordinator for the network. What is your favourite quote?
How does this positively impact upon Carers? Carers can become volunteers themselves, providing valuable skills and experience for them as well as shared understanding of the services provided. They also can see the benefits for their loved ones. How does this positively impact upon Staff?
My parents. They are always willing to help anybody and have high moral values. They are inspirational.
Volunteering provides valuable support for both service users and the services. They will be employed into a specific role chosen by the service, therefore fulfilling an identified need. For our Service Users volunteering in the community, staff will be able to see the affect upon their recovery journey.
What are you the most proud of?
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
My career thus far. I concentrated on my education and volunteering roles which have led me into employment in this role.
Assisting the Service Users in their recovery journey.
“Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up.” Jesse Jackson. Who is your role model and why?
Tell us something about yourself: I’m a massive Manchester United supporter! What is your role within the Specialist Services Network? I am a Volunteer Coordinator. My role is to help services recruit volunteers to support their services and to help Service Users to volunteer within the community.
How do you see your role developing in the future? I would like to see an increase in volunteering opportunities both within our services and within the community for our Service Users. I aim for there to be at least one volunteer within each ward and that many Service Users will of benefited from Volunteering opportunities. Also, that pathways into employment opportunities from volunteering are more readily available.
How does this positively impact upon Service Users? Going out into the community for volunteer placements and having volunteers within their service has a positive impact on the service users recovery process. Volunteering can enhance their skills, knowledge and experience.
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