Evaluation of a co-delivered training package for community mental health professionals on service user- and carer-involved care planning

Background: There is limited evidence for the acceptability of training for mental health professionals on service user and carer involved care planning. Aim: To investigate the acceptability of a co-delivered, two-day training intervention on service user and carer involved care planning. Methods: Community mental health professionals were invited to complete the Training Acceptability Rating Scale post-training. Responses to the quantitative items were summarized using descriptive statistics (Miles, 2013), and qualitative responses were coded using content analysis (Weber, 1990). Results: Of 350 trainees, 310 completed the questionnaire. The trainees rated the training favourably (median overall TARS scores = 56/63; median ‘acceptability’ score = 34/36; median ‘perceived impact’ score = 22/27). There were six qualitative themes: the value of the co‐production model; time to reflect on practice; delivery preferences; comprehensiveness of content; need to consider organizational context; and emotional response. Discussion: The training was found to be acceptable and comprehensive with participants valuing the co-production model. Individual differences were apparent in terms of delivery preferences and emotional reactions. There may be a need to further address the organizational context of care planning in future training. Implications for practice: Mental health nurses should use co-production models of continuing professional development training that involve service users and carers as co-facilitators.