Last Updated on 01/08/2024
Experts by Experience’s (EbEs) vital contributions to clinical psychology training is recognised in position statements and accreditation criteria (BPS, 2019; DCP, 2018), as well as in wider professional standards and NHS policy (DoH, 2011; HCPC, 2017).
LUPIN
The Lancaster University Public Involvement Network (LUPIN) aims to increase public involvement in the Lancaster Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology. LUPIN was set up in early 2008 and its members include current and former users of clinical psychology services, carers, members of the public interested in mental health service development, programme staff and trainee clinical psychologists. We are clear that staff members and trainees can also be current or historical service users and/or carers and we welcome this perspective.
LUPIN and the course are working together to make sure that a public involvement perspective is woven throughout all aspects of the DClinPsy programme. This is to improve the experience of training so that trainees learn from the experiences of service users and carers.
Structure, Processes and Methods of Involvement
LUPIN members are involved in a range of work on the programme including selection interviews for trainees, teaching, advising on trainee research projects and membership of programme committees. LUPIN is also linked into various groups both locally and nationally that help to promote the involvement of service users and carers in clinical psychology and wider services.
LUPIN meets as a steering group, which aims to guide the overall strategy. Future strategic aims for LUPIN are currently in development.
Service users have been involved in several aspects of the work of the programme:
Learning sessions
Experts by experience (including, but not restricted to, LUPIN members) have contributed to the planning and delivery of internal and external learning sessions and workshops. LUPIN members also regularly peer observe learning sessions to trainees.
Selections and Admissions
LUPIN members are members of the interview panels which select each new intake of trainees. A variety of other service users are also involved in the “video discussion task”, one of the four elements of the recruitment process during selection week.
Research
Trainees are encouraged to involve experts by experience in the planning and management of their individual research projects. Please see the Public Participation in Research Activity guidance.
Programme Management
LUPIN members contribute to the programme work groups, the Trainee Council, the Programme Forum and the Programme Board.
Fitness to Practise
LUPIN members form part of the Fitness to Practise panel.
Dedicated resources
The programme will ensure that dedicated time from programme staff is available to support service user involvement in all its aspects. This will include members of the clinical, research and administrative staff. The programme will provide suitable meeting venues, and payment for activities when appropriate.
Leadership
Programme staff will take responsibility for chairing LUPIN steering group and subgroup meetings. Programme administrative staff will be responsible for keeping and circulating meeting minutes.
Payment for Service User Involvement
LUPIN members are involved in a wide range of course-related activities and we wish to recognise the skills and expertise that are brought to these activities, as well as the time that members give to help us improve and develop the training course.
What types of payment are offered?
Fees. Payment is offered for all course-related activities in which experts by experience are involved. There are different options available for payment and these are discussed when someone is interested in joining LUPIN.
LUPIN steering group
The LUPIN steering group meets every three months and aims to guide the overall strategy of service user and carer involvement with the course.
Support, Training and Development
Reasonable adjustment will be made for those who are disabled in any way by society in order for service users to participate in programme activities. This includes, for example, accessible meeting venues, and aids and adjustments for visual, cognitive or hearing impairments.
The level of involvement by service users in programme activities is dependent on personal choice, and the programme does not have specific expectations of how much time people need to commit.
Through discussion at LUPIN steering group meetings the programme aims to meet any specific and relevant training and development needs that are highlighted through the work. For example, to date, this has led to arranging a training session for LUPIN members to understand policy and legislation on Equality and Diversity.
Recruitment
We are keen to encourage trainee representation on the LUPIN steering group. We are also keen to recruit more members of the public and service users to LUPIN. We would encourage trainees, whilst on placement, to publicize LUPIN.
LUPIN If you are interested in becoming involved, please get in touch with the staff team who facilitate LUPIN: –
Hannan Hussein: h.hussaein3@lancaster.ac.uk
Anna Duxbury: a.duxbury@lancaster.ac.uk
Leanne Staniford: l.staniford@lancaster.ac.uk
Useful documents
Public involvement payment structure
Public participation in research activity