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Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning

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Carer Perspective

Operating Principles from a Carer Perspective

The purpose of this document is to provide a framework which ensures that input from carers is an integral part of the development of learning materials produced by the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning. The Centre has a commitment to a culture of inclusion and collaboration with carers to achieve the Centre's key principles.

The input from carers is a valued resource for the centre and they will be utilised as educators.  Carers' expertise in educating and informing people who work with or are likely to work with people with mental illness is recognised and highly regarded.

Best Practice Principles

Staff employed by QCMHL should exhibit the following attributes.

• Awareness of Carers' rights.
• Able to operate as part of a Consumer, Carer, Family inclusive partnership.
• Be nondiscriminatory and display a positive attitude toward carers.
• Able to deliver recovery driven holistic programs.
• Able to collaborate with carers, accepting that carers can offer unique contributions.
• Able to build capacity for carer participation.
• Acknowledge that carers who participate via representative work (on behalf of consumers and carers) are an essential component of the participation model.
• Understand that involvement commences in the design and planning stage of all projects. 

Role of Carers

Carers are an essential component in the development of learning materials and the opportunities for input will be, but are not limited to:

• Membership of the Strategic Advisory Board
• Membership of the Expert Reference Group
• Assistance in designing training programs
• Assistance in development of educational materials
• Attendance or delivery of training sessions
• Evaluation of training programs
• Participation in recruitment selection panels 

Training and Support

To ensure that the participation of carers is effective, the centre is committed to providing access to and ongoing support for training to assist carers in fulfilling these roles.  

Selection of Carer Representatives

• Selection procedures to be transparent and widely advertised.
• To enhance the level of independence from Mental Health QLD, carers selected for representation roles will be selected by a panel that includes other carer/s. 

Financial Reimbursement

Carers will be financially remunerated for their assistance. This includes payment for any pre-reading, work, and travel required for assisting in QCMHL projects.