There is widespread recognition that involving offenders, ex-offenders and their families can help improve the quality of services. Service users have first-hand experience so know better than anyone what works and what does not. Involving them can bring distinct insights and means you are utilising a valuable resource. ThereÛªs potential to involve service users in every stage of planning and delivering services.
However this guidance focuses specifically on how to encourage service users to be involved in one element of this – research and evaluation.
If you are interested in the wider issues of service user involvement we highlight some useful resources at the end of this document.