The Six Core Strategies service review tool
The Six Core Strategies© are evidence-informed approaches effective in reducing seclusion and restraint events. This whole-of-system approach was originally developed in the United States by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Medical Directors Council (NASMHPD). It is also used in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Finland.
The Aotearoa New Zealand adaption, formerly known as the Six Core Strategies® checklist (2013), was developed by Te Pou to support services implement the strategies within the Aotearoa New Zealand context. This adaption was refreshed in 2020 to ensure the strategies remain current and useful for services. Feedback from the sector identified potential ways to strengthen the use of the Six Core Strategies© to meet current and future needs. Read the sector feedback summary here.
This service review tool aims to support leaders and managers in implementing the Six Core Strategies© in mental health services. It is designed to help services to regularly review their progress in shifting towards least restrictive practices through identifying key priorities and supporting ongoing quality improvement and systems change. The Six Core Strategies© service review tool can be accessed here.
An overview of the Six Core Strategies© is outlined below.
The six strategies
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Strategy 1. Leadership towards organisational change
Leadership must be aligned and committed to supporting, applying, and resourcing seclusion and restraint reduction initiatives. The inclusion of Māori leadership is pivotal in supporting upholding obligations and responsibilities of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
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Strategy 2. Full inclusion of lived experience
The goal of eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint cannot be achieved without the leadership and involvement of people who experience mental health challenges. Full and formal inclusion is essential across a variety of roles. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
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Strategy 3. Using data to inform practice
The use and analysis of data enables quality improvement activities to improve the outcomes and experiences of people, whānau and workers. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
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Strategy 4. Workforce development
Workforce development supports workers to have the right skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes to respond effectively to the needs of people and whānau experiencing mental health challenges. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
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Strategy 5. Use of seclusion and restraint reduction tools
The use of effective tools and assessments that are integrated into each person’s treatment, stay, and planning e.g. assessment tools, safety plans, advance directives, sensory modulation, and welcoming practices such as whakatau. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
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Strategy 6. Debriefing techniques
Debriefing for people, whānau and staff members can support people who have been involved in adverse event and reduce the traumatic impact. It can also provide important information to set up a different outcome in the future. This section of the service review tool can be accessed here.
Webinar series
Te Pou hosted a series of webinars to support the use of the Six Core Strategies© Service Review Tool. Each session is focused on a specific area of the Six Core Strategies© and features guest speakers.
Recording of "Introducing the Six Core Strategies Service Review Tool"
Recording of "Leadership towards organisational change"
Recording of "Full inclusion of lived experience"
Recording of "Using data to inform practice"
Recording of "Workforce development"
Recording of "Use of seclusion and restraint reduction tools"
Recording of "Debriefing techniques"
Resources
Te Pou has a wide range of evidence-based resources and tools to help the mental health, addiction and disability workforces.
Learn MoreOur work
Te Pou works alongside mental health and addiction services, and disability organisations to understand their priorities and workforce challenges.
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