Citizen Checkers – lived experience leadership across Cornwall

In 2011, people with a learning disability and autistic people who had experienced long hospital admissions wanted set up a group to share their experiences and improve support for others across Cornwall.

Citizen Checkers have been commissioned by local councils and Cornwall’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) to complete a range of health and social care quality checks, including reviews with people who were at at Winterbourne View, eight weekly hospital reviews, reviews of day services and reviews for the Cornwall LGA peer review. Citizen Checkers also run an innovative Peer Advocacy service for people who are in out of county hospitals and people who are at risk of a hospital admission.

In 2023 Cornwall Council asked Citizen Checkers to complete reviews of its short break services, to co-chair the co-design of its services for people with a learning disability and autistic people and to create a quality checking peer review system for the county. This work reflects collaboration between the council and the ICB to coproduce services.

• Recruitment opportunities to work with Citizen Checkers are advertised through local job centres, through networks across Cornwall and through Facebook and other social media.
• The Citizen’s Advice Bureau advises how many hours each person can work to ensure their benefits are not affected.
• Training is provided through Open Future learning and through internal support from the Citizen Checker support team. Citizen Checkers are also given a handbook to support them. External therapeutic psycotherapy is offered to all peer advocates and reviewers.
• Review questions are based on Everyday Citizenship: Seven Keys to a life well lived Simon Duffy and Wendy Perez (Red Press) and the Sly and Tindall Seven principles of citizenship, to help ensure that all people are welcomed and respected as equal members of the community.
• Service reviews are usually completed by two reviewers and one supporter but this depends on the needs of the reviewers involved. Pre-review checks and post-meeting briefings are completed to discuss key areas and any support needed.
• Recommendations and priorities are timely and shared within power point slides.
• Any safeguarding concerns are reported through the local safeguarding process, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Safeguarding Adults Board - Adult Safeguarding Policies, Standards and Guidance - Local. Complex safeguarding issues and actions to manage and reduce risks are discussed within the local multidisciplinary team.

It has given me a voice”
-Person who draws on care and has experience speaking with a citizen checker reviewer

I can share my experiences with people who are listening to me.”
-Person who draws on care and has experience speaking with a Citizen Checker reviewer

It has given me a purpose. It has given me a living wage. Helped my confidence and communication skills.Given me the opportunity to travel and meet new people.”
-Citizen Checker

Given me time and breathing space- to help myself find out who I am and what I want.”
-Citizen Checker

Citizen checkers focuses on the person with lived experience it is about the values and contribution that the individual can make.  They work to help and support the person but you always know that the person is at the heart of the work because you hear their voice.”
- Kevin Beveridge, Area Director, West Area,  Adult Care and Support, Cornwall Council

• Just do it, rather than overthinking it and learn from your experiences.
• Ensure costs take into account: support for reviewers before, during and after reviews, access to therapeutic support to ensure people are not being retraumatised and costs relating to implementing reasonable adjustments, for example changing documents into easy-read formats.
• Ongoing grant funding is beneficial to ensure sustainability and the completion of core work.
• Sharing recommendations with service providers through power point slides means the process is inclusive, timely and focused on the top priorities.
• Highlight the positive impact of peer reviews.

What we do - Citizen Checkers (58 seconds)

Kate Spenceley
Managing Director, Citizen Checkers
Email: [email protected]

Kevin Beveridge
Area Director, West Area Adult Care and Support, Cornwall
Email: [email protected]