There is a growing realisation that service uses and carers should be involved in developing the services they receive. Their expertise as users of services and what they want from services should be heard. It is particularly important that service users are involved in the national organisations that regulate services, the workforce, education and training n social care.
As national organisations, these bodies should model good practice and be an example for all social care organisations. This report examines the experiences and contributions of service users who serve on the boards of the care councils for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Care Commission (in Scotland) and Topss England (now Skills for Care).