Collaborative Relational Practice (CRP)

Collaborative Relational Practice (CRP) is a framework that supports Neami staff to provide high-quality and ethical services.

It describes what matters to our work, the way we work, and why we work this way.

CRP reflects the best of what people say they value about us and our approach. It draws on theory and evidence from a broad wisdom and research base. And it centres lived and living experience as a way of understanding what practices matter to how we work.

At the heart of CRP is an understanding that relationships involving care and connection matter. That being and doing things with people rather than doing things to people matters. And being responsive to people’s individual life situation matters. We use the term ‘working alongside’ to represent the spirit of our approach.

At Neami, we understand that there is a wide variety of things that influence how someone is feeling and doing in life. Our role is to support people to access what they need for a fulfilling life – knowing that requires different things for different people.

We value the knowledge people have about their own lives. And we will support your rights and efforts to influence decisions that will affect your life.

We are here to help you with the things that matter to you.

The reasons people access support from Neami are diverse and often have several dimensions. CRP helps us to look at the big picture, to work flexibly, and to meet people where they are. We are there through ups and downs and when the answers aren’t clear. We respect your choices, your ways and what you want to be supported with.

• Collaborative Relational Practice
• Safety and Opportunity Philosophy

Citation
Wolstencroft, K., Egan, R., McLoughlin, M., Spies, R., & Ennals, P. (2021). Collaborative relational practice. Research and Evaluation at Neami National.

Contributors list
Project Lead – Keren Wolstencroft

Research and Evaluation
Priscilla Ennals, Keren Wolstencroft, Rebecca Egan, Mush McLoughlin, Rebecca Spies, Anna Mallyon and Sarah O’Connor.

Project Governance
Amelia Arnold, Dave Peters, Greta Baumgartel and Kathy McCormack.

Steering Group
Rebecca Egan, Kathryne Meagher, William Lau, Greta Baumgartel, Katya Hamiwka, Mog van Goldstein Brouwers, Resika KC, Hannah Roeschlein, Erin Saar, Elisha Crombie, Hugh Rabinovici, Peter Lewis, Denis McArdle and Rob Sheridan.

Additional Contributors
Tanya Koolmatrie, Kathy McCormack, Valerie Pelletier, Oskar Beggs-Steventon, Anna Mallyon and Miranda Frare.
Service Teams and Consumer Contributors
Across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge the time and commitment of the many different people, groups and teams that participated in the thinking and design behind this approach. Thank you for caring about what matters to practice and your contributions along the way.