This Dept. of Health guidance gives potentially important guidance that may enable proper payment to be made for service user involvement without jeopardising people's benefits. Among other things, it describes how these issues should be addressed with Jobcentre Plus and the Inland Revenue.

Reward and recognition - The principles and practice of service user payment,and reimbursement in health and social care (A guide for service providers, service users and carers)

These two publications are not specific to drug users but are sometimes regarded as similarly applicable in some respects.

Payments policy for service users and carers http://www.nimheeastern.org.uk/publications/suc_payments_policy.htm
(10 pages)

Cases for change: user involvement
http://www.nimhe.org.uk/downloads/8UserInvolvement.pdf
(16 pages)

The NTA has issued guidance regarding expenses and other payments it makes to service users and carers for contributions to its regional and national activities.  This may also be a useful point of reference for others in DAATs, provider services and for academics involving service users in research or teaching.

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/docs/Expenses_policy_carers_and_users_.pdf

The links page here www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/toolkit.html goes to a series of publications commissioned by the NTA and further links page (an edited selection from the text is below)

Being heard - notable examples of user and carer organisations

There are many ways in which users and carers can become involved in helping to shape treatment. In recent years a number of organisations have sprung up to ensure that the voices of users and their families are heard. Read about some of the organisations identified by the Audit Commission and the results they are achieving.
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/being_heard.pdf
(9 pages)

Making a difference to drug treatment services - notable examples of user and carer involvement

Service users and their carers are already making a real difference to drug treatment, from informing strategic planning to helping shape service delivery. As a result of the Audit Commission's research, a number of examples have been identified where the views of users/carers have helped to influence drug treatment. Find out more
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/Make_A_Difference.pdf
(4 pages)

Finding out more - information and advice on involvement programmes

A number of materials are also publicly available to users and carers who are looking to set up their own groups. These include papers, guides and articles
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/materials.html

Effective Interventions Unit Advocacy for Drug Users: A Guide Summary http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/eiuads-00.asp
(4 pages)

Effective Interventions Unit Advocacy for Drug Users: report
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/health/eiugadu-00.asp
(47 pages)