From a supported practitioner to a creative practitioner: promoting well being in practice. A framework for development of staff in statutory services

Abstract

Introduction:
Ten years after the National Service Framework for Mental Health (DH, 1999) and with the advent of the proposed "New Horizons" strategy from the Department of Health
(2009), it appears that once again mental health promotion is receiving some attention. Much research has focused upon the benefits of mental health and well being promotion in practice (DH, 2001); but it is argued that the literature has largely neglected to encapsulate staff developmental requirements in terms of the social inclusion of staff in a well being community of practice"

Stage of work / process of partnership:
This presentation provides an opportunity to present a framework for staff development, the focus of which is upon
enabling mental health practitioners working in statutory services to become socially aware of and become engaged with communities of practice in the common goal of promoting well being.

The proposed developmental framework will enable the practitioner to develop relationships with non statutory agencies and groups. It aims to increase their ability to think creatively in practice and similarly, think creatively in how they engage with service users in promoting well being and how they work in a way which cuts across services boundaries.

Predicted outcomes from the collaboration/workshop presentation:
As this work is at a developmental stage, participants can offer points for discussion, advice and offer different perspectives that may contribute to the final paper/developmental framework.

Conclusion:
It is envisaged that this framework will provide a focus for mental health practice in statutory services which will enable mental health promotion to be at the centre of practice rather than a peripheral consideration. How outcomes of implementation of the framework are measured will be an area for future research. This will take into consideration staff satisfaction, skill development in well being promotion, and the impact upon how statutory mental health services engage with non statutory services and ultimately, the impact on service user well being.