How many service users, their carers and parents are represented on The same as you? National Implementation Group and short-life working g…

The same as you? National ImplementationGroup has 25 members, seven of whom are peoplewho use services or family carers. In addition, implementation is supported by aNational Users and Carers Group which has 18 members, 12 of whom are people whouse services or family carers. The membership of short-life working groups has variedover the life of each group depending on the issues being considered and the availabilityof members. However, on average the number of members for each group who were peoplewho use services or family carers was as follows:
Hospital Closure, 2
Employment, 3
(Both groups completed theirwork in December 2003.)
Advocacy, 4
Children, 3
Day services, 2.
Members who represent voluntaryorganisations on the groups may also have personal experience of caring for a personwith learning disabilities. All group members who have a learning disability aresupported at meetings by support workers from the organisations they represent.
In addition to actual representationon the groups, many people who use services, carers, and parents contribute to thework of the groups through a variety of means, such as workshops, conferences orquestionnaires.