Client Participation

What is Client Participation?
Client participation provides opportunities for clients to influence the services provided by Catholic Community Services (CCS).

 

Client participation may take many different forms. Clients can participate by:

 

• taking part in a survey
• writing articles
• attending meetings or
• taking on a specific role, such as presenting at a staff training session.

 

CCS is committed to client participation as input from clients help us to develop effective services to meet client needs. Clients' input is also a key driver of continuous improvement.

 

CCS Client Participation Meetings

 

In June 2010, we held a series of meetings to obtain input from a cross section of clients across NSW. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss Catholic Community Service's client participation strategy and participation opportunities.

 

Forum Locations

Where	Date held	Attendees
Bathurst	21 June 2010	6
Dubbo	23 June 2010	9
Nepean	28 June 2010	14
Sydney	29 June 2010	57
Coffs Harbour	30 June 2010	4

Client Participation Opportunities

Client Participation Group
The Client Participation Group is made up of clients from across NSW. This group meets regularly to provide guidance and oversight of client participation across Catholic Community Services. This is to be done in co-operation with staff within the organisation. Guidance and advice will be provided by the Service Innovation Development Unit (SIDU).

 

Other Opportunities to become involved
We would welcome your participation in the following activities:

 

Ask me!
Volunteer to be part of a survey panel for Catholic Community Services. When we have questions about what type of services are needed for the future or are trying to decide whether to do Option A or Option B, we will contact you to get your advice. This may be a phone or mail survey that would take no more than 20 mins to complete.

 

Help us improve our communication
Help us to improve our communication by reviewing documents, such as fees notices, service agreements or fact sheets before we send them out to clients. This is your chance to point out annoying jargon and technical terms which we can replace so that we are speaking in plain English.

 

Attend a client meeting in your local area
Local meetings of clients and staff can provide us with valuable feedback on our services, as well as providing an opportunity to meet with others. These meetings can only occur if we have enough people who would like to get together, so please let us know if you would be willing to attend.

 

Help organise a social event or outing
Got an idea for a social event to get people together to relax and enjoy themselves? With your help, we will be able to advertise this event to other clients who may be interested and arrange a successful day.

 

Share your skills or experience
Please let us know if you have skills or experiences you would be willing to share. You could help us to train new staff by talking about your experience of services from a client perspective or share your skills with a group of other clients.

 

Write an article for the Client Newsletter
We all value recommendations from others. Write a short article for the client newsletter to share your tips or advice about a device or service you have found that has made life easier for you.

 

Client Newsletter Editorial Board
You would assist in identifying topics and articles for publication. You would review and edit submissions and make recommendations about which articles should be published. The Client Newsletter is published every 3 months with these positions being busy for a day or two in the weeks before publication.

 

Other ideas?
We are identifying additional opportunities for client participation all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

 

Contact details
Register your interest in any of these activities by contacting us:

Phone: 1800 225 474
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mail: Catholic Community Services
PO Box 1011
Meadowbank NSW 2114

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want to participate?
This is an opportunity to have a say in what and how CCS supplies services, as well as make decisions together on activities such as social events and day trips. It's also an opportunity to meet other people and make new friends.

 

Can anyone take part or do you need special skills?
We are designing the programme so that regardless of what skills you possess you can take part. This includes any mobility or other issues. We want you to become involved at a level and ability you want to and if you have skills to share so much the better.

 

How much time would I need to commit? Whatever time you would like to devote is what we are looking for. We have created various activities which require varying amounts of time form a few minutes irregularly to a couple of hours regularly.

 

Would I need to travel to meetings?
Only in some cases and where that activity requires it. If you don't want to travel, we will make sure that it is not part of the activity you wanted to be involved in. However, if you do want to get out and about we will do what we can to assist.

 

Do I need access to a computer?
Most of the activities planned do not need the use of a computer. In a small amount of activities you will need a computer to write to us or communicate with fellow clients across NSW. We plan to offer training on computers to anyone who would like to learn.

 

Will client participation affect my services?
The programme will not affect issues on personal care or the plan and relationship you already have with us.