Personality Disorder Project

• Service user and carer involvement at all stages
• Development of different learning methods such as a video and audio tape
• Targeting through training sessions both those who work with individuals with personality disorder and those who have experienced the diagnosis
• Developed by a trainer with a diagnosis of personality disorder
• Training looking at areas within Capability Framework and based on knowledge grounded in the experience of service users
• Continued appraisal and evaluation to lead to future sustainability

Our initial assessment work will help us identify the key areas to develop for appropriate learning outcomes. It is anticipated that some of the learning outcomes will be common to both user and practitioner / worker whilst some would be more specifically related to individual groups and needs.

However identifying some learning outcomes for all groups:

• To give learners a greater understanding of the impact of personality disorder on both clients and those working with them
• To introduce learners to various causation theories and coping mechanism
• To give learners greater understanding of appropriate support and therapy
• To enable learners to understand the negative impact of stigma

Specific for practitioners:

• To enable learners to gain knowledge of workinf effectively and collaboratively
• To give an opportunity for learners to recognise and have critical understanding of risk
• To introduce learners to using critical reflective practice

Specific for service users:

• To give learners the opportunity to explore more appropriate coping mechanisms
• Enable the development of a positive self image and self esteem
• Identify strategies based on models of recovery
• Understand negative reactions from people in response to behaviour
• Identify support and treatment options

These outcomes will be evaluated through various means such as questionnaires, individual interviews, group interviews and through our own evaluation. This would be applied to training sessions and also to other training resources such as the video / DVD and information.

We would wish to develop a tool with practitioners and workers that could measure areas such as how this training has improved practice, led to more effective team work etc. over a period of time. We plan to develop a similar tool to measure any positive outcomes from the training for service users.

Project Process

• Conference held on personality disorders in November 2003
• Bid successful with NIMHE SW for 50K
• Stakeholder meeting on 28th July 2004; to inform, identify training needs and form development group
• Two year process from July 2004 to 2006

Year One

• Identify service users with this diagnosis and their learning needs
• Identify staff within a wide range of organisations and their learning needs
• Form development group
• Identify users to help produce learning tools
• Produce video and audio tape of service user stories for wide dissemination

Year Two

• Gain accreditation for courses
• Deliver training to workers
• Deliver training to service users
• Evaluate
• Marketing and future sustainability