Within this essay the authors aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities of integrating the Ten Essential Shared Capabilities (ESC) into the day to day running of mental health practice. The author will also take into account Values Based Practice, Recovery, Interpersonal Relationships and Service User and Carer involvement.

Aswell as the 10 ESC there are a set of values which all mental health staff should follow. They are the Values Based Practice and it is about being aware of , and looking in a positive and respectful manner at peoples differences, beliefs and values regardless of status for example service user, carer, family or colleagues.

(Coyte et al. 2007) There are 10 points to good values based practice which staff should adhere to. They are broken down into the following :

Values Based Practice and Evidence Based Practice : The “squeaky wheel” principal (values only noticed if problematic), The “two feet” principal (evidence-based and values-based practice).

Practice Skills : Awareness, Knowledge, Reasoning and Communication

Models of Service Delivery : Multi-disciplinary, User Centred

Partnership : Service User and the Carer working in partnership in decision making.

The four main Practice Skills in values-based practice are also prominent in many if not all of the 10 ESC, all of which are required in building a working therapeutic relationship between service user and staff.

Interpersonal relationships between service users and staff are very different from social relationships in that these relationships are built up on the same principles of respect, trust, good communication and understanding, but the service user, nurse relationship should be a therapeutic and helpful relationship rather than a social one (Guimon 2003). This relationship is essential in ensuring that there is a supportive and solid route of recovery established.

Everyone has a different view on what recovery is and no one persons journey is the same as another. Recovery is all about initially having a belief that things can and will change. Some people may want a complete change in the way they live while others may want to return to how they lived before. Supporting recovery is all about assisting the person to live as fulfilling and positive life as possible, involving the service user and their carer and supporting them to take control of their own recovery (Scottish Recovery Network 2007).

The author feels that the expertise to the mental health issues are the service user , carer and their family support structure and that this is a positive route onto their journey of recovery. The main issue that staff could come across may be if the service user does not have any of the support structure that comes from a network of family, friends and professionals or if the service user themselves does not want to involve any of the above support.

This is where staff and the MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) may have to offer other methods or ways to support the service user on their recovery journey. Ideally, getting the service user and carer involved, by making sure that they are involved in all decision making concerning treatment would enable them to take more control of their care and treatment. However this can be challenging in that when trying to find a balance and working out what is holistically best for the service user conflicting ideas may come out, but by establishing a therapeutic relationship between the service user and staff this should help with any trust issues and enabling a better understanding and ensuring that there is a favourable outcome that can be agreed upon.

The 10 Essential Shared Capabilities (ESC) are:

Working in Partnership

Respecting Diversity

Practising Ethically

Challenging Inequality

Promoting Recovery

Identifying Peoples Needs and Strengths

Providing Service User Centred Care

Making a Difference

Promoting Safety and Positive Risk Taking

Personal Development and Learning

Working in partnership is all about building up a relationship with the service user, their family, carers and any outside services that are required to be involved in the care of the person. (Barker 2009) Staff should offer support and empower the person to enable them to have an active role in controlling their own treatment and care, with all aspects of their care being taken into account. Making sure that the whole partnership are aware of the information and advice that is available to them to enable an informed choice regarding the most suitable care is made available.

Although, working in partnership sounds good in theory, all involved in the partnership are required to put in the work to ensure that it works successfully. The staff can offer services for both service user and carers but they may not agree or want to attend. If this happens then something needs to be put in place which would benefit all parties and that they all agree on, if any of the party do not want to attend or take notice of services provided then this is their choice and confirms their ability to choose.

When respecting diversity it is to have an understanding of someone’s values, race, sexuality, age, mental health, religion and physical state. Staff need to ensure that everyone in their care are treated to proper care, treatment and support also that they are treated with dignity and respect no matter what their personal circumstances or cultural values area (Stickley and Basset 2008).