Abstract
BackgroundThe literature regarding inclusion of service users and carers (SUACs) in the recruitment processes for future health and social work professionals has primarily presented such inclusion as positive for all. This study is novel in its exploration of the detail of SUACs' involvement and in its reach across a whole university department of health and social care disciplines.ObjectiveTo examine the detail of ways in which SUACs were actually involved in student selection and whether they have any real influence on recruitment decisions.MethodThis co‐produced study took place in an English university. A qualitative, semi‐structured interviewing approach was undertaken with 12 staff across social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, paramedicine and physician associate disciplines. Thematic analysis was employed independently with both researchers agreeing resultant themes.FindingsA range of recruitment activities which included SUACs were found, evidencing both full and partial involvement in decision making. Nine themes emerged—The quality of SUACs' inclusion; Understanding reasons for including SUACs; SUACs being more knowledgeable than academic staff; SUACs influencing final decisions; The high expectations of candidates by SUACs; SUACs' need for training; Marketization and scepticism; and Logistics and the presumption of ableism.ConclusionsTransparent protocols are essential if SUACs are to be equitably included in student recruitment processes. A shared model of SUACs' inclusion should be attainable across disciplines, even if the ‘nuts and bolts’ of recruitment processes vary.Patient or Public ContributionThis work was co‐produced with a SUACs' group from conception and design through to fieldwork and write‐up.
Highlights
The literature regarding inclusion of service users and carers (SUACs) in the recruitment processes for future health and social work professionals has primarily presented such inclusion as positive for all
The international picture regarding the inclusion of service users and carers (SUACs) in qualifying health and social care training is rather mixed, despite bodies such as the International Federation of Social Workers and the International Association of Schools of Social Work[4] setting out global standards for the education and training of the social work profession which call for student recruitment, admission and retention policies that reflect the active involvement of practitioners and service users in relevant processes
This novel finding of respect for SUACS' knowledge and insights into candidate potential was not extended to their playing a part in the final decision making across all disciplines, which concurs with the findings of previous studies.[28,30,34]
Summary
The literature regarding inclusion of service users and carers (SUACs) in the recruitment processes for future health and social work professionals has primarily presented such inclusion as positive for all. Universities across Europe and the rest of the world have begun to incorporate service users into their activities, including recruitment, in the field of social work in the UK and in Eastern European countries.[5,6] user involvement in social work education in the Nordic countries is still limited[7] while the service user inclusion in the US social work education remains relatively absent.[8] International higher education establishments have been criticized for principles of ableism, more so since the embracing of performance management models of efficiency.[9,10] In the UK context, the number of disabled academic staff was selfreported at 4.9%11 whereas 19% of all working-age adults were stated to have a disability.[12] The positive role models provided across qualifying health and social care courses by SUACs from recruitment through to involvement in teaching and assessment, might be seen as a challenge to this predominantly ableist culture
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
