🚨 DRAFT FOR TESTING - not the final design 🚨

Summary of the Principles for all Engagement Activities

The principles were developed through a collaborative process and extensive framework review.

We’re using the first three principles in the testing sessions. Click on a principle to find out more.

Principle one: Safe

Staff plan for physical, emotional and cultural safety ahead of engagement activities. Staff know safety is more than saying, ‘this is a safe space.’

Principle two: Accessible and welcoming

Consumers and carers feel welcome, included and that they can come as they are.

Principle three: Sharing power and decisions

Consumers, carers and staff make decisions together. Staff understand power differences, how to facilitate with power differences and share power.

Principle four: Ensuring recognition

Staff value consumers’ and carers’ knowledge, skills and time. Consumers want to be involved and recognised in different ways. So, there’s choices.

Principle five: Honest and accountable

Staff are open about what consumers can and can’t influence and how decisions will be made. Staff close the loop on what feedback was and wasn't used and why. Engagement is reviewed and improved including by consumers and carers.

Principle six: Diverse and inclusive

Engaging with one person or the same person all the time isn't consumer or carer engagement. Activities reflect the diversity of our communities and aim to create space for diverse experiences and perspectives. Staff don't expect one conversation or person to represent a community.

Principle seven: Relationships and trust-building

Staff focus on relationships, impact and building trust with consumers over numbers (e.g. number of meetings, number of advisors). While projects are important, staff are always building stronger and new relationships with community groups and individual community members.

Principle eight: Learning together

Everyone has something to contribute. Consumers, carers and staff learn about each other's strengths, experiences and skills. Staff think about if they’re engaging consumers to learn. Or, to confirm an existing solution.

Please remember, you’re looking at a draft 📝