Information for Mental Health (Leeds)

Mental Health guide

• Treatment
• The survivor movement
• Your rights as a service user
• What do the professionals do?
• Having more say
• Finding your way through the system
• Care Programme Approach
• Your rights as a carer
• Benefits
• Words used in mental health

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Care Programme Approach

The Care Programme Approach (CPA) is the framework for good practice in the delivery of mental health services.

It aims to ensure that if you are referred to mental health services your needs will be identified and a plan of co-ordinated care will be drawn up to meet your needs.

You and your views should be central to all parts of CPA.

There are four elements to the CPA process:-

1. Assessment. Your health and social care needs are identified.
2. Care Co-ordinator. A care co-ordinator is appointed to oversee the production and delivery of a care plan and keep in contact with you.
3. Care Plan. A care plan will be drawn up clearly identifying who will be responsible for each aspect of your care and support.
4. Evaluation and review. Your care plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure that the intended outcomes are being achieved, and that any necessary changes are made.

There are two levels of CPA: 'standard' and 'enhanced'. The difference relates to the level of involvement/support you need and whether there is any element of risk to yourself or others.

Care Programme meetings

Decisions about your care should be made at a meeting.  This may typically include the following people:

• you;
• your carer, (close friend or relative), if appropriate;
• your Care Co-ordinator;
• a psychologist;
• your advocate;
• an occupational therapist;
• a social worker;
• a psychiatrist;
• a nurse.

Only people who need to be there because they are involved in the care plan in some way should attend.  You should always be asked if it's okay for any others (trainees, for example) to be there.