Consumer Council

Introduction

The establishment of a Consumer Council forTe Korowai Whāriki  is to improve consumer outcomes for people who use the forensic and rehabilitation mental health services in inpatient and community settings and in prisons and other offender management areas.

Role

To inform the Te Korowai Whāriki Governance Advisory Board on matters related to policy, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the service.

Membership

The Consumer Council has a core membership of 10 people and is chaired by the Te Korowai Whāriki Consumer Advisor. Appointments are made following a process of requests for expressions of interest within the Central Region (Wanganui, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Wairarapa and Wellington) from former or current or service users who are aware of the services Te Korowai-Whāriki provides. Two positions are designated specifically for Maori and Pacific peoples, the remaining eight seats are open to all.

Appointments to the Council are for a maximum of five years. Two positions per year will be re-advertised.

Responsibilities

To review and feedback on -

• draft service initiatives
• service evaluation

To propose new or more effective ways of providing treatment programmes.

To discuss and offer direction on new initiatives (local, national, international)

Authority

The Consumer Council has the authority to review and comment on any issue that affects the tangata whaiora/consumers who use Te Korowai Whāriki services.

Remuneration

Council members will be paid for meeting attendance at the current DHB rate.  A completed tax form will need to be provided and payment will be made by direct credit into a nominated bank account. Out of town travel will be paid for members travelling to meetings.

Meeting Procedures

Attendance

Meetings are bi-monthly for two hours. Unfinished matters, if they can be deferred, are rescheduled for the following meeting. Special meetings may be arranged for matters of urgency.

Council members not attending, or tendering an apology for 3 consecutive meetings, will be contacted by the Chair to discuss their on going participation on the Council. Reasonable accommodation will be offered to those who need to take a break due to health issues arising.

The Te Korowai Whāriki Executive Director (Operations) may attend meetings to discuss specific issues when required.

Agenda:

• An agenda and related documents are sent out two weeks prior to the meeting.
• All members must read the agenda items before the meeting and be prepared to discuss the information during the meeting.
• Other items may be sent out at other times for members to discuss with other consumer groups

Record Keeping:

• All actions, responses, recommendations are recorded
• Minutes of all meetings are sent to the Te Korowai Whāriki Governance Advisory Board and the Group Manager

Decision Making

The Council has no decision making powers but provides specialist advice to the Te Korowai Whāriki Governance Advisory Board.

All draft service initiatives are forwarded to the Consumer Council for comment and feedback