The Statement places lived experience at the centre of the Tribunal’s practice, in line with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, which recognises people with lived and living experience, along with carers and supporters, as essential contributors to the mental health system.
It outlines how the Tribunal will continue to strengthen and elevate lived experience across its practice, supporting a psychologically safe and inclusive culture and a commitment to respectful, recovery oriented and trauma informed approaches.
Lived experience is embedded across the Tribunal’s work, including through the Tribunal Advisory Group (TAG), lived experience roles, and participation in governance, policy and capability development. The Tribunal actively recruits members with lived and living experience, with lived experience represented on interview panels for Tribunal member appointments.
Lived and living experience is also embedded throughout Tribunal member professional competencies and appraisal processes, supporting members to demonstrate understanding, respect for, and application of lived experience in their practice.
Practice reflection groups led by people with lived experience provide safe spaces for Tribunal members to reflect on how lived experience informs their work.
The Statement affirms the Tribunal’s ongoing commitment to learning, accountability and continuous improvement, recognising that embedding lived and living experience requires ongoing listening, reflection and change.
You can view our Lived Experience Statement at Lived experience at the Mental Health Tribunal.