About UKC-SUCI

An overview set out on achieving our mission and ensuring a lasting impact on academic and professional practices across the UK.

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What is UKC-SUCI?
Why we Exist
What we Stand For
Where we want to Be
Where we are Going
Scope
UKC-SUCI Advantage

About Us (Who are we?)

The UK Council for Service User and Carer Involvement (SUCI) in Higher Education (UKC-SUCI) was initiated in 2024 responding to a need to establish SUCI standards for Healthand Social Care programmes across UK HEIs. The UKC-SUCI is a collaborative community of educators, research practitioners, service users andcarers dedicated to advancing service user and carer involvement in teachingand learning within higher education. As leaders in championing education andco-production, we provide access to innovative practices, and meaningfulprofessional development opportunities on service user and carer involvement.

We define service user and carer involvement as the integration of livedexperiences and authentic voices into the educational journey of studentsacross health and social care programmes, informed by an institution’scommitment to high quality teaching and learning standards. We aim to fosteran inclusive, supportive environment for exchanging ideas, learning fromdiverse perspectives, and shaping the future of health and social careeducation. We believe this approach enriches the experiences of students,academic staff, service users, and carers while fostering a culture of respect,collaboration, and mutual learning.

Mission (why do we exist?)

Our mission is to advance effective and meaningful SUCI guiding practice to support academics within UK Higher Education Institutions,so that all health and social care students' education encompasses livedexperiences of service users and carers.

Our Values (What we stand for?)

At UKC-SUCI,the success of Service User and Carer Involvement (SUCI) in teaching andlearning is driven by these core values:

  •  Accessibility: A commitment to fostering open access, promoting inclusivity, and activelyinviting service users, carers, educators, students and researchers to engageand contribute. This ensures continuous growth and the integration of diverseperspectives in education.
  • Innovation: A dedication to exploring and implementing new approaches, methods, and technologies that amplify the voices of service users and carers, driving transformative learning experiences.
  • Inclusivity: Anintentional focus on engaging diverse perspectives and ensuring allvoices—especially those with lived experiences—are valued, respected, andcentral to shaping curriculum, teaching and learning strategies in HE
  • Collaboration: To support the developmentof staff by sharing resources, research, practicing scholarly inquiry,promoting partnership, fostering community.

Vision (Where we want to be)

UKC-SUCI aspires to be recognised nationally on service user and carer involvement in HEand influencing policy across institutions. To provide best practice standards to HEIson aligning and implementing Professional, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies(PSRBs), statutory requirements for service user and carer involvement inhealth and social care education.

We envision:

  •  A fully embedded SUCI framework across all UK HEIs.
  •  A well-connected community of educators, researchers, and service users drivingpolicy and innovation.
  • SUCI being a core component of student learning and professional development.
  • An evidence base for inclusive education and excellence, with publications and case studies highlighting our impact.

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Strategy (Where We Are Going)

We aim to foster anational network that advocates for SUCI best practices and facilitatesco-production in education.

Our strategicdirection is focused on embedding SUCI within HEIs, ensuring that professional,statutory, and regulatory body (PSRB) standards are met and exceeded.

We envision:

  1.  Understanding the value of experience: Define SUCI as an essential component of inclusive education, shaping curricula and enhancing learning outcomes
  2.  Acknowledging the broader impact of involvement: Embed SUCI in institutional policies, curriculum design, and student engagement strategies.
  3. Recognising the principle of partnership: Strengthen collaborations between educators,students, and service users.
  4. Reinforcing the benefits of focused action: Measure and demonstrate the impact of SUCI on academic quality, student experience, and institutional reputation.

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Scope

  • Target Audience: HEIs, academic staff, students, service users, carers, research institutions, policymakers, and regulatory bodies.
  • Key Areas of Focus: (What does SUCI need to develop, manage, own or otherwise control “in-house” what should, could be outsourced externally or performed by others? What products / services does SUCI offer, are they consistent with target user wants / needs, do they capture the full range of user needs, how will offerings evolve to consider changing user needs – does SUCI care?)
       
    • Recruitment and induction of SUCI member
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    • Integration and  coordination of SUCI members across Health and Social Care programmes
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    • Development of best practice guidelines including training, curriculum design, teaching, learning and assessment.
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    • Outreach and partnerships with stakeholders to strengthen national policy influence.
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    • Ongoing research and professional development.

UKC-SUCI Advantage

UKC-SUCI’s sustainable advantagelies in its ability to provide:

  • A national approach to SUCI in HE.
  • Expert guidance and support on embedding lived experiences into health and social care programme
  • A collaborative community for ongoing learning and improvement.