Service user priorities for the social work role in CMHTs for adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the contribution of the social work role in CMHTs for working age adults: Service user priorities
IRAS ID
224143
Contact name
David Challis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 5 days
Research summary
Social workers are regarded as key members of multidisciplinary community mental health teams (CMHTs), delivering specialist support to people with severe and enduring mental illness. However the CMHT social worker role lacks clear specification. Furthermore, empirical literature describing their work is largely dated, yet the legislation and service landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Additionally, despite a policy emphasis on giving service user perspectives a voice in service design, surprisingly little research has considered their preferences.
This new research therefore aims to explore the contribution and value of social workers in CMHTs from the perspectives of service users and carers. In particular, it asks for the views of service users and carers with experience of being supported by a social worker to consider the most important social worker's skills and responsibilities.
The study comprises four research activities: (1) A Delphi panel consisting of social work experts will review a literature-informed list of social worker values, skills and responsibilities to reach a consensus of what constitutes their distinct contribution to CMHTs. (2) A prioritisation event will seek to review this list from the perspective of participating service users and carers. This will shortlist those social worker contributions of most value to those with lived experiences of support. (3) Qualitative interviews will test and refine a new questionnaire of service user preferences. (4) The final "Best Worst Scaling" (BWS) questionnaire will then be completed by a larger sample of service users.
The research is being supported by a Lay Reference Group comprising seven lay members, to ensure that service user and carer perspectives guide the conduct of the research.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
17/NS/0080
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion