Why are they still flavour of the month?
They aren't completely...
Any organisation publicly presenting data has a responsibility to ensure the legitimacy of
such information. This is particularly important when assuming a specialist and
professional role and in discussing matters which may practice, behaviour and
understanding especially when working with children.
Organisations run/operated by people with lived experience have an important part to
play in educating professionals. However, there is also a responsibility to be clear when
they are expressing opinion, describing an experience or stating fact. Mermaids should
be mindful of this when undertaking their review of training and engage with relevant
professional organisations who may hold such data.
Mermaids undertakes to provide scripts to the Fund on this point so that the Fund can
continue to be confident the best available statistic are being used.
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Mermaids should work with an academic partner/evaluator to explore the
reasons why their longer term outcomes may differ from other services such as the
Tavistock. The findings of this should form part of the Big Lottery Fund grant
management activity.
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he main activities of this grant are to work with parents to set
up support groups across the country and to deliver training. In doing this Mermaids
should clearly explain the stated NHS position in the UK and provide relevant
information, advice and support to families (and others) in a responsible and accountable
manner.
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Mermaids continues to feature the [Gender GP] GP practice on their web site. This has the potential
to cause misunderstanding and draw negative attention to the organisation given the
controversial nature of the issue as well as leaving the organisation open to such allegations. Mermaids should consider the implications of this and review the
appropriateness of retaining details of this practice on their website at least until the
current GMC inquiry is resolved.
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organisations such as Mermaids also carry an important responsibility, especially as they
attempt to grow, to ensure their services, communications and training are of a
consistently high standard. Mermaids should pay attention to ensuring that their
governance, infrastructure and quality assurance are strengthened in line with the
growth in their operational activity. They should also work towards strengthening their
relationships with other key players working in this field.
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All organisations have a duty of care to those who use their services and to ensure
their activities, views and policy positions respect the best standards in their given field.
The Big Lottery Fund can consider providing appropriate additional support to
organisations to help with their growth, improvement and development and provide
knowledge and learning from other activities it funds. Should the England Committee
decide to continue funding, these points should be considered as additional conditions of
the grant.
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This review has explored the specific allegations made about Mermaids practice and
has not found adequate evidence to support a withdrawal of the grant. However, it has
identified some areas in which Mermaids should improve practice, governance,
relationship management and quality assurance.
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Mermaids claim to be a user centred organisation, however their advocacy and
engagement in controversial debate risks overshadowing the valued front facing direct
support platform they provide for children, young people and their families. This
proposal is targeted at that level.
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As is the case with
many other grants it is recommended that the Big Lottery Fund provides additional
support and agrees milestones that ensure Mermaids has an effective quality assurance
system for its communications, support services and training. The England Team should
work with Mermaids to identify and agree these key milestones.
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