Lived experience update November 2021

This quarter has seen a large increase in sector consultation, such as the engagement on the proposed system and services framework and the repeal and replacement of the Mental Health Act. It is important to acknowledge that the consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) workforce has continued to lead, advocate, and collaborate within multiple consultation processes while also navigating heightened demands on CPSLE work.

After the successful launch of the Strategy Action Plan this year, the first quarter of 2022 will see a number of CPSLE Strategy Action Plan consultation forums facilitated by the Te Pou lived experience team. We will utilise multiple methods of engagement to ensure that the CPSLE workforce and partners from across the sector work collaboratively to realize the Strategy Action Plan projects. The majority of these forums will be virtual. The forums will cover actions including CPSLE workforce data, supervision coaching and mentoring, training and professional development, co-production, scopes of practice, a national professional body, increasing funding for CPSLE led services and roles, employment and pay equity, and resources for people accessing services and whānau. It is imperative that the CPSLE workforce and partners are central to all the Strategy Action Plan projects. To guide the work ahead, the project management of the Strategy Action Plan will be strengthened by the Strategy Action Plan Advisory Group and Te Kauae Raro.

The first Strategy Action Plan Advisory Group meeting was held on 12 November. This was an opportunity to meet each other, including the Te Pou lived experience team, to formulate how the advisory group will operate, what the expectations are and how we will work together. Discussion included updating about projects already underway, the project planning processes and reporting mechanisms. There was energy and enthusiasm with everyone ready to share their skills and really looking forward to 2022 and getting stuck into implementing the actions.

There is much work ahead as we venture into 2022. The Te Pou lived experience team have been proactive with scoping the upcoming consultation forums and in the establishment of the Advisory Group and Te Kauae Raro. The Te Pou lived experience team will give regular updates using a dashboard that monitors progress on the actions and indicates the mahi planned ahead throughout 2022.