Psychological therapies and interventions specification: consultation analysis

8 Outcome 5: I am fully involved in planning and agreeing my transitions

Introduction

This chapter presents feedback on Outcome 5 which states that: “Transitions for those accessing direct psychological care across a variety of delivery partners can often be challenging. Therefore, a smooth transfer of care should be effectively planned, communicated, and implemented.” It then sets out a number of statements that describes how this will be achieved.

Question 32

How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 5 will improve the experiences of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions?

Table C25 presents the quantitative response to Question 32. This shows that:

• three-quarters of all consultation respondents who answered Question 32 either agreed or strongly agreed (75%) that the statements within Outcome 5 will improve the experiences of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions
• 18% neither agreed nor disagreed
• 7% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 33

How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 5 will improve the outcomes of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions?

Table C26 presents the quantitative response to Question 33. This shows that:

• around two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 33 either agreed or strongly agreed (65%) that the statements within Outcome 5 will improve the outcomes of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions
• a relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (26%) with this statement
• 8% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 34

How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 5 successfully sets out to individuals, their families and carers how they will be fully involved in planning and agreeing any transitions?

Table C27 presents the quantitative response to Question 34. This shows that:

• almost three-quarters of all consultation respondents who answered Question 34 either agreed or strongly agreed (73%) that the statements within Outcome 5 clearly set out to individuals, their families and carers how they will be fully involved in planning and agreeing any transitions
• 21% neither agreed nor disagreed
• 7% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 35

We know that currently not everyone has the same experiences or outcomes when they access psychological therapies and interventions. We want the specification to help make sure that services meet your needs whoever you are and whatever your background. How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 5 will help do this?

Table C28 presents the quantitative response to Question 35. This shows that:

• almost two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 35 either agreed or strongly agreed (64%) that the statements within Outcome 5 will help to support equitable access to psychological therapies and interventions
• a relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (29%) with this statement
• 7% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 36

The statements within Outcome 5 are intended to support a smooth transfer of care and make sure that it is effectively planned, communicated, and implemented. How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 5 will help do this?

Table C29 presents the quantitative response to Question 36. This shows that:

• almost two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 36 either agreed or strongly agreed (63%) that the statements within Outcome 5 support a smooth transfer of care and make sure that it is effectively planned, communicated, and implemented
• a relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (31%) with this statement
• 7% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 37

Do you have any other comments on Outcome 5?

Over half (53%) of all consultation respondents answered Question 37 which asked respondents whether they had any comments regarding Outcome 5. The main themes are presented below.

Theme 1: A repeat of key themes that emerged from the consultation

Some respondents repeated points that they had made earlier - see Chapter 2 for more detail. For example, this included that:

• the statements within Outcome 5 were ambitious and could raise unrealistic expectations that cannot be met due to funding and workforce challenges
• greater consideration of impact on particular groups, including people with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• importance of informed consent for involvement of families and carers
• greater consideration of cultural and socio-economic barriers which may impact smooth transitions
• greater clarity on the monitoring and evaluation processes for smooth transitions and how these processes would be informed by feedback from people accessing psychological care

Theme 2: Ensuring smooth transitions between Children’s Services and Adult’s Services

Some respondents emphasised the importance of ensuring smooth transitions between Children’s Services and Adult’s Services. These respondents felt that the challenges associated with transitions for those accessing psychological care could be more fully reflected in the final specification and wider commentary within Outcome 5.

Further, it was noted that the specification could have more links to the National Transition Principles and the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Neurodevelopmental (ND) National Specifications.

A wider point raised was that a young person accessing psychological therapies and interventions may not be accessing CAMHS or ND services therefore may not be unaware of any specifications regarding their care.

Theme 3: Feedback on specific statements

Some respondents provided feedback on specific statements in Outcome 5 that they could be amended, reworded, reframed, enhanced, and/or further strengthened in some way. This feedback in part reflects calls from respondents for more detail, specification and/or greater clarity on these statements, including terms used.

More detail is provided in Appendix D, however, a selected example is that:

• some service providers highlighted that it may be challenging for self-referral options to be “simple” and “consistent” as options will be different and more/less appropriate in different services, particularly forensic services where clinical oversight is essential