This week's news is all about the impact of our 2024 community co-design programme, a reminder about our new community resources and information about NHSE new digital technology principles in inpatient mental health settings  

In 2024, BIHR partnered with four community groups across the UK to co-design a human rights support solution that would empower them to harness human rights to tackle social injustice. Over six months, we developed brand new advocacy tools with the African Women Empowerment Forum, Cwm Taf People First, the Northern Ireland Refugees and Asylum Seekers Women Association (Bomoko NI), and the Parent and Carer Alliance. These included an interactive game, a detailed advocacy guide, a compact folded leaflet, and a digital brochure. 

 We hope that having tailored resources designed in partnership with the groups' members will build their confidence to speak up where human rights may be at risk and lead to better lives. The community groups also told us how valuable they found the process of developing the resources, as well as the final result... 

 “Our work on this project has opened up other avenues for us to explore, and in light of this no ask was too big (or strange) for the BIHR team. They really held our members interests at heart and worked with us to make sure that they were included in the process and that their voice was at the centre of our Game. This has allowed our members to see themselves within the final resource, generating a sense of pride; motivation to want to do more; and eagerness to share our work.  We believe that the co-design project has generated a great foundation for us to champion human rights better in the future and to ensure that people with learning disabilities are not forgotten, overlooked or de-valued when accessing and interacting with public services.” Cwm Taf People First 

In the 2024-25 cycle of BIHR’s communities programme we worked with four community groups to co-design human rights resources to support them in their work:  Together we made for four unique resources which were launched at our Human Rights Day event and are all now available on our website. This month we have been supporting the organisations to organise printed versions of their resources, some of which are translated into other languages.  

The resources include: 

• An Easy Read human rights card game to support adults with learning disabilities to understand their rights 

• A pocket-sized guide to human rights and housing for women seeking asylum and refuge in Northern Ireland 

• A booklet on human rights advocacy for women seeking asylum and refuge and accessing public services in the UK 

• A written guide and accompanying videos for families, carers and supporters accessing special educational needs and disability services 

 BIHR’s Chair Imran recently spoke to the Law Society about what has shaped his career. He talked about his work in the community to fight against racism and injustice, taking on the Stephen Lawrence case and why legal aid made this possible and how we need passionate lawyers who want to achieve good for society:  

“ I hope I always think with the bright-eyed, rose-tinted spectacles that I wore in youth, thinking the law could make a difference.”  

NHSE releases Digital Technology Principles for inpatient mental health settings 

NHS England has released set of eight digital technology principles in response concerns that in some cases digital technology is being used in a way that is potentially detrimental to mental health care and support. For example, both clinicians and lived experience experts have raised concerns about the impact of the use of vision-based monitoring systems in inpatient settings.  

The document was coproduced with a range of key stakeholders including BIHR and people with lived experience to support providers and clinicians to consider whether use of a digital technology is the most appropriate, effective and least restrictive method of supporting the care and treatment of people in inpatient mental health settings. It describes eight principles, the first of which is a human rights approach and also includes further practical recommendations to guide decision-making on procurement, implementation and the use of digital technologies. 

The principles should be applied across all NHS-funded mental health inpatient service types, including those for patients with a learning disability and autistic people, children and young people and older adults; as well as specialised mental health inpatient services, such as mother and baby units and secure services. 

NHS England » Principles for using digital technologies in mental health inpatient treatment and care 

Two parents are bringing a Bereavement Support Payment case to the European Court on Human Rights  
 
In 2018, Steve brought a human rights case challenging the policy that meant he was refused Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) after his partner died. They had two young daughters together but because they weren’t married, he wasn’t able to access this vital support payment. The Court found that this breached his right to private and family life and his right to be free from discrimination. 

In 2023, the Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order changed the law so unmarried but cohabiting partners with children are eligible for BSP. This applies to claims dating back to 30th August 2018 but not before that. 

Jyotee, whose partner died in 2016, and Andrew, whose partner died in 2017, are challenging the decision not to apply the changes to earlier claims because it means they will both miss out on a considerable amount of support. Jyotee and Andrew are making an application to the European Court of Human Rights. 

Source: Leigh Day