Looking to the future

SERVICE USER INVOLVEMENT – SYNTHESIS OF FINDINGS AND EXPERIENCE
IN THE FIELD OF COMMUNITY CARE

Vivien Lindow and Jenny Morris

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

£7.50

ISBN 1 899987 002

In recent years the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has funded large
and small research and development projects concerned with many
aspects of service user involvement. This report highlights key
areas for future research and development.

It begins with an analysis of the underlying issues in relation
to the power imbalances and inequalities in relationships when
users become involved with health and social services. Research
into individual participation in users’ own care assessment and
care management is examined, in particular the focus on concepts of
independent living.

The section on collective user involvement shows the
difficulties statutory agencies have had in making a reality of
involving users in planning, and the future need to focus on the
key role of user-controlled organisations in research and
development.

This report is an important contribution in assessing the
position of research and developments in user involvement. It is to
be hoped its recommendations for future funding in this area will
be acted on, not only by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation but also
others active in this field.

Clare Evans

is convenor, Wiltshire Users Network