Strategic Planning: Options Appraisal
About Options Appraisal
This a method used to make evidence-based decisions. It can help you consider what practices are generally effective. It can also help with what models or "options" might be best for different places, people and resource needs.
An options appraisal involves evaluating different ideas or ways to make joint working and support better.
By appraising various options in this way you can:
- Gain a deeper understanding of how each model functions
- Move beyond assumptions
- Have good conversations about how things might work in your local context.
Options appraisals serve as a focal point for integrating a wide range of information gathered during a project. Such as policy analysis, data, local governance, and insights from people with lived experience.
You can find more information about options appraisals and ways to combine mental health and substance use services here.
Supporting the protocol – how you might use this tool
When looking at developing new ways of working, in line with the Mental Health and Substance Use protocol, this tool can:
- Support evidence based conversations about different ways to integrate service delivery
- Help define models of care based on local priorities and need
- Provide a framework for decision making at the local level
The Options Appraisal resources include a quick look at different ways to join mental health and substance use services.
This resource can be used to think about how to embed joint working practices at a service level. You can use the different examples of integrated working to look at:
- How you might fill gaps in support across services
- How different roles might enhance existing practice
- How service structure and formal relationships can help implement your local protocol
It can also help find new ways to work together to support people with both mental health and substance use conditions. This means making sure roles and responsibilities are clear in a way that supports collaboration than creating silos.