2005/2006 was a year of change for MAPME, partly because of personnel changes and partly as a result of the new Service Level Agreement.
There was a change in the small but committed team of Advocates. Mike Bird, a former solicitor, retired from MAPME in 2005 (and we miss his quiet professionalism and gentle humour). Tony Moniyhan then returned to us after a year out at College. Collette Wiseman also joined us for a year. Jackie Farrow, a local counsellor has just started the intensive shadow training which is the induction for advocates. Sandra Brush and Barbara Horsley are the “old” members of the team and Brenda Yardley provides the essential support and coordination for the team as Administrative Officer.
The wide range of backgrounds and qualifications of the staff has meant a rich mixture of experience and wealth of knowledge is contributed to the weekly team meeting, with Myra Houlding the Project Manager providing the essential management and “supervision”. It is this team approach and the ability to keep up with the constant changes in legislation and organisations that makes the service so valuable to adults with mental health problems in Mid Essex.
MAPME was working to an annual Service Level Agreement which was many years old and this year Myra and the Commissioners spent many hours ‘thrashing out’ a new SLA which would be a robust model for the future. This has involved quite a change in the way that the services are provided and monitored and the Team worked very hard to formulate new documentation and recording processes to respond to the new needs.
One of the original issues of contention was whether the need for Benefits advice and representation should be continued. It is clear from the statistics that nearly half of our referrals require this element of service as part of their need for support. It is also clear to us that Benefits and financial problems contribute to our clients’ mental ill health in a major way and it would be inappropriate to restrict this service. This has now been agreed by our Commissioners, who understand that this element is integral to peoples’ recovery and reintegration into, or their ability to remain in, the community.
Unfortunately because of the financial problems of PCTs, the “outreach” funding which enabled us to personally represent people at Benefits hearings and appeals will only be provided by Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust.
Perhaps when the recently amalgamated Mid Essex PCT looks at commissioning Advocacy in 2007/2008 recognition of the benefit of direct representation will encourage appropriate funding to enable MAPME to provide this to all parts of the area.
|
