Strategic Framework

A Strategic Framework for Mental Health and Learning Disability

A New Vision for Mental Health and Learning Disability Services

The vision behind this strategic framework is to give a real and meaningful priority to the challenges of mental health and learning disability, embracing a reduction in the incidence and prevalence, a reduction in mortality and in the extent and severity of problems associated with mental ill-health and learning disability. Central to the vision is a valuing of people with mental health needs or a learning disability, their rights to full citizenship, equality of opportunity and self-determination. It anticipates a process of reform, renewal and modernisation of services.

The strategic framework embraces the complementary challenges of mental health and learning disability. It also recognises the requirement for:

• a balanced response to the need for better services for people with mental health and learning disability;

• a clear framework to promote positive mental health and reduce stigma.

Values and Principles

The framework is based on a set of fundamental values and guiding principles. People with mental health needs, learning disability and their carers should look forward to a response from services which:

• respects their individual autonomy - through openness and honesty in the providing of information, respect and courtesy in individual interactions with service users, partnership and empowerment in service planning and delivery - with Government, providers and wider society each accepting their respective responsibilities;
  
  
• demonstrates justice and fairness – resources for services should be allocated and managed according to criteria which are transparent, and which demonstrate equity.

The framework for service development and service provision is based on the following principles:

• partnership with users and carers in the development, evaluation and monitoring of services;

• partnership with users in the individual assessment process, and in the development of their programme of treatment and care and support;

• delivery of high quality, effective treatment, care and support;

• provision of services which are readily accessible;

• delivery of continuity of care and support for as long as is needed;

• provision of a comprehensive and co-ordinated range of services and accommodation based on individual needs;

• take account of the needs and views of carers, where appropriate, in relation to assessment, treatment, care and support;

• provision of comprehensive and equitable advocacy support, where required or requested;

• promotion of independence, self-esteem and social interaction through choice of services and opportunities for meaningful employment;

• promotion of safety of service users, carers, providers and members of the public;

• staff are provided with the necessary education, training and support;

• services are subject to quality control, informed by the evidence.

Framework Goals and High Level Objectives

Informed by these values and principles, the service review provides a unique opportunity to address the full spectrum of issues relating to mental ill-health and learning disability. The Review goes beyond specific mental health problems or individual groupings, to include, for example, mental health promotion, public health measures to reduce mental ill-health and suicide, and the challenges of stigma. In responding to the needs of individual service users and their carers, there is a need for clear specification of models and standards.

To ensure a balanced and inclusive framework, the following high level objectives have been set:

1. recommend specific reforms of service for each of the following user groups – children, young people, men and women with mental health needs or a learning disability; [Service reforms will specify models of care and standards of provision in relation to the quality, comprehensiveness, effectiveness, accessibility and acceptability of provision. They will include detailed consideration of primary and secondary care services, the interface between these services, the linkages and interfaces between health and social care, education, culture arts and leisure, employment and housing, the complementary roles of statutory and non-statutory services, and the issues surrounding multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working.]
   
   
2. review the strategy for mental health promotion, embracing public health measures to reduce mental ill health and suicide;
   
   
3. review of the law:
   
   
4. review of relevant legislation and other requirements relating to human rights, equality of opportunity and social inclusion of people with mental health needs or learning disability and their carers;
   
   
5. review of the Mental Health Order (NI) 1986;
   
   
6. make recommendations regarding future legislation to reflect the needs of users and carers in the context of the framework values and principles.

All proposals will be evidence-based, noting the quality of evidence presently available.