Empowering Voices: The User Forum's Impact on Hiring at Cedar

At Cedar Foundation, we firmly believe that the people we support should have a voice in shaping the services they receive. This commitment to co-production is woven into the fabric of our organisation, and it's exemplified by the active involvement of our User Forum in the hiring process.

The User Forum: A Driving Force for Change

Our User Forum, comprised of dedicated service users, plays a vital role in ensuring that Cedar's services are designed and delivered in a way that truly meets the needs of the people we serve. Their insights and perspectives are invaluable, and we're proud to provide them with opportunities to contribute their voices at every level of our organisation.

Co-Production in Action: User Forum Members on Interview Panels

One powerful example of co-production in action is the User Forum's participation in our staff recruitment process. We recently trained nine additional User Forum members to sit on interview panels, bringing our total to 13 trained members. Since April, these dedicated individuals have actively participated in 14 interview panels which equates to 34% of overall interviews conducted by Cedar, ensuring that the voices and opinions of service users are heard when we're selecting new staff members.

The Importance of Service User Perspectives

Donna recently sat on our most recent interview panel. As Donna said, " Being on an interview panel gives me a bit of worth in the organisation, it gives me heart knowing that you have chosen the correct person for the job. The advice I would give to anyone considering being on an interview panel is – to keep listening to the person their responses, read their body language and get the vibes. The more familiar you get with interviews, the easier it becomes." By involving the User Forum in the hiring process, we gain unique insights into the qualities and characteristics that are most important to the people we support. This ensures that our team members not only possess the necessary qualifications but also understand and connect with the needs of the individuals they serve.

Building a Stronger, More Inclusive Cedar

The User Forum's involvement in hiring is just one example of how we're fostering a culture of co-production at Cedar. We're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives, and where decisions are made collaboratively. Together, we're building a stronger, more inclusive Cedar that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people we support.

If you would like to learn more about our User Forum and download the latest User Forum E-Zine please visit the dedicated page.