Psychological therapies and interventions specification: consultation analysis

10 Outcome 7: I have confidence in the staff who support me

Introduction

This chapter presents feedback on Outcome 7 which states that: “The variety in the workforce practice types, professional mix, activity of staff, and outcomes are important when delivering high-quality care. The Services Guide will provide guidance for health and social care staff on how to support service delivery and staff wellbeing to make sure workloads are shared, fair and clear where specialist and enhanced practice types of care are offered.” It then sets out a number of statements that describes how this will be achieved.

Question 44

How far do you agree that the standards within Outcome 7 will improve the experiences of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions?

Table C35 presents the quantitative response to Question 44. This shows that:

• around three-quarters of all consultation respondents who answered Question 44 either agreed or strongly agreed (77%) that the statements within Outcome 7 will improve the experiences of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions
• 18% neither agreed nor disagreed
• 5% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 45

How far do you agree that the standards within Outcome 7 will improve the outcomes of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions?

Table C36 presents the quantitative response to Question 45. This shows that:

• around two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 45 either agreed or strongly agreed (65%) that the statements within Outcome 7 will improve the outcomes of people accessing psychological therapies and interventions
• a relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (28%) with this statement
• 7% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 46

How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 7 successfully sets out to individuals, their families and carers what they can expect if they are to have confidence in staff who support you?

Table C37 presents the quantitative response to Question 45. This shows that:

• over three-quarters of all consultation respondents who answered Question 45 either agreed or strongly agreed (77%) that the statements within Outcome 7 clearly set out to individuals, their families and carers what they can expect if they are to have confidence in staff who support them
• 16% neither agreed nor disagreed
• 6% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 47

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 7 will help do this?

Table C38 presents the quantitative response to Question 47. This shows that:

• two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 47 either agreed or strongly agreed (66%) that the statements within Outcome 7 will help to support equitable access to psychological therapies and interventions
• a relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (28%) with this statement
• 5% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 48

The statements within Outcome 7 are intended to support service delivery and staff wellbeing to make sure workloads are shared, fair and clear where specialist and enhanced practice types of care are offered. How far do you agree that the statements within Outcome 7 will help do this?

Table C39 presents the quantitative response to Question 48. This shows that:

• almost two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 48 either agreed or strongly agreed (64%) that the statements within Outcome 7 support service delivery and staff wellbeing to make sure workloads are shared, fair and clear where specialist and enhanced practice types of care are offered
• 24% neither agreed nor disagreed
• 12% either disagreed or strongly disagreed

Question 49

Do you have any other comments on Outcome 7?

Almost three-quarters (72%) of all consultation respondents answered Question 49 which asked respondents whether they had any comments regarding Outcome 7. The main themes are presented below.

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

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

• adequate funding and resources are required to ensure that staff and services have the capacity and ability to deliver this outcome
• some respondents felt that Outcome 7 is too ambitious and cannot realistically be delivered and met given current funding and workforce challenges

Theme 2: Culture change may be required within psychological workforce and psychological therapies

Some respondents, mostly individuals, felt achievement of Outcome 7 would require a culture change within the psychological and wider health and social care workforce. These respondents felt that culture change would be required to tackle stigma that affects people with mental health issues which can also affect the attitudes and behaviours of clinicians.

Theme 3: Feedback on specific statements

Some respondents provided feedback on specific statements in Outcome 7 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, an example includes:

• clear definitions for “resources”, “enough resources” and “adequately funded and staffed psychological workforce”

Theme 4: Something missing from the statements

A few respondents felt that something was missing from the various Outcome 7 statements, including that:

• consideration could be given to an additional statement that has a focus on increasing diversity of workforce
• there could be more explicit reference to trauma-informed therapy and practice, including appropriate workforce development