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Work conditioning programme

Posted By ChrisLl23

"Work conditioning programme"

About: Community Mental Health Services / Condition Management Programme

(as a service user),

Immersive Reader

After leaving my job due to difficulties I was experiencing I eventually learnt that my difficulties were due to, at the time undiagnosed, adult ADHD. 

After going into benefits, my Universal Credit work coach (who was incredibly understanding, I must say) enrolled me on a state funded Work Conditioning Program.

The staff member assigned to my case was very friendly and I really felt was trying to help me, overall I enjoyed speaking with them. However, it soon became clear that they knew little about my condition and despite me explaining on most calls (if not all) how ADHD was affecting me, still had a very poor grasp of the condition and would frequently make suggestions or observations that clearly showed ignorance of the condition. Basically I gained very little from engaging with the program but instead often felt dismayed, a little exasperated that I was being misunderstood or not being listened to, leading me to feel actually worse than when I started the program. My thinking at the time was, if this professional doesn't get me/it then what chance do I have at being understood by my friends, family and the public? 

Again, I must stress how nice and well meaning the worker was but I'm afraid to say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and without proper training good intentions can have quite a detrimental effect. 

Eventually I just stopped after 6 or 7 sessions for my own mental well-being. 

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Responses

Response from Colin Reilly, CMP Co-Ordinator, Condition Management Programme, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Colin Reilly
CMP Co-Ordinator, Condition Management Programme,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

I Manage the CMP team. We offer support to people who may have a physical or mental health condition affecting their ability to work.

Submitted on 07/09/2022 at 11:55
Published on Care Opinion at 11:57

Immersive Reader
picture of Colin Reilly

Good morning, first of all I would like to apologise for your negative experience with the CMP team and I am truly sorry that you felt dismayed, exasperated, misunderstood and not listened to. However, I would like to thank you for personally taking the time to send your feedback. I really appreciate all thoughts and suggestions from everyone who participates in the Condition Management Programme particularly if it is to highlight a part of the service we need to improve upon. Whilst some of the Clinicians have received some training relating to your condition, you have highlighted an area where the team members have not received enough specific targeted adult ADHD training. I have looked into the current adult ADHD training options that would be available to us and I can assure you that I will endeavour to ensure all Clinicians in the team are booked onto the training as it becomes available. I have also reached out to some of the local agencies who offer support for people with ADHD to see if we can work in a more joined up way to ensure everyone can have equal access to support services outside the CMP team. We do try to ensure that all of our clients receive the best possible service and with your help and feedback we can be better prepared in the future. Thank you again. Colin Reilly, CMP Co-Ordinator.

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