Equality in Learning

"The EQUIL project has developed tested and evaluated learning resources which support the professional development of new and existing Employment Practitioners/Educators in the field of mental health. EQUIL has done this by developing training packages which promote partnership working between Employment Practitioners/Educators, Employers and People with Lived Experience of Mental Ill Health. EQUIL has created training packages using a co-production model, where professionals and people with lived experience are equal partners when designing interventions and training. By creating training programmes which are truly co-produced EQUIL has developed resources which can be used by a range of Employment Practitioners/ Educators and are relevant and meaningful to their work and the individuals they support. ‘There is a difference between co-production and participation: participation means being consulted while co-production means being equal partners and co-creators’ Social Care Institute for Excellence (2012). Towards co-production: Taking participation to the next level, SCIE Report 53, London: SCIE.The development of a professional Employment Training Practitioner workforce (professionals who support individuals with mental health problems into work) across Europe supports the EU agenda for adult learning and contributes to Europe 2020 Flagships ""Platform against Poverty"" & ""New Skills for New Jobs"". It wil contribute to addressing the needs of unemployed people across Europe who live with mental ill health.EQUIL’s main activities within 6 Intellectual Outputs across the partner countries included:IO1 – Development of training module – Employment Support Models (Beliefs and Values)A co-produced training programme was developed which took into account different model of employment support across Europe including the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) model. The training programme focused on the underlying Values and Beliefs which practitioners need to be able to support people with mental health problems back into the workforce.IO2 – Development of training module – Educator/Practitioner Skills for Supporting people with lived experiences to look for employment.A co-produced training programme which included a range of tools and exercises enabling Practitioners to work with people experiencing mental ill health to support their return to work.IO3 – Development of training module – Educator/Practitioner Skills for Supporting Employers to Employ and Retain People with Lived ExperienceA training programme will be co-produced including expert practitioners, people with lived experience and employers. It will include a range of tools and exercises to enable Practitioners to support and encourage employers to recruit people who may have experienced mental ill healthIO4 – Development of training module – A Toolkit for Co-ProductionBased on existing models and experience of coproduction, identified through research and also using experience from the development of training in this project a ‘Toolkit for Coproduction’ will be developed. This training resource will be used by services and people with lived experience to develop training, projects and services in a truly coproduced manner.IO5 – Positional Analysis and SustainabilityIn depth research to develop a sustainable model for implementation of the training programme across Europe. This will include a positional statement with barriers to implementation clearly identified and solutions suggested; a sustainability analysis of the innovation in training which will inform further dissemination and mainstreaming activity; the development of a quality assurance system for the training programmeThe EQUIL website and facebook page will promote the project and also house the training modules and open educational resources which make up the EQUIL methodology. They will provide a platform where EQUIL practitioners can gain peer support and engage in useful forum discussions relating to supporting learners into employment. EQUIL will target 2 groups, Employment Practitioners who are working with people experiencing mental ill health and people experiencing mental ill health. For Employment Practitioners the learning modules will develop skills they need to support this population back into employment and to work with employers. Employment Practitioners develop their ability to co-produce services and training with people with lived experienced. Enabling them to support and train people with mental health issues and supporting employers to recruit and retain staff with mental health problems.People with experience of mental ill health benefit from the support of skilled and confident Employment Practitioners, so increasing employment outcomes for this group. They will have improved recovery and well-being outcomes both from gaining support towards employment and involvement in co-pro"