understanding local decision making tuesday 13 th december 2011 helen tomlinson bolton cvs ibrahim...
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding Local Decision Making
Tuesday 13th December 2011
Helen Tomlinson Bolton CVSIbrahim Ismail BSCA
Representation is...
“Where one person, or group of people, is acting, speaking or being present on behalf of another person or group of people”
(VCS Representation in Suffolk)
Why is representation important?• It is acknowledged by central and local
government that the third sector has a key role to play as a strategic partner
• Voluntary and community organisations are uniquely placed to:
- Identify and stand up for the needs of disadvantaged people in the community- Contribute to the planning and review of services- Develop and deliver services of their own
Principles of RepresentationNAVCA framework
• Accountability• Equality• Leadership• Openness• Purpose• Sustainability• Values
Benefits to the Voluntary and Community Sector
• Local groups should find it easier to have their voices heard
• Local groups are able to influence services• Access to wider resources and knowledge• Recognition of the sector• Being at the heart of decisions that matter to
local people• Stronger relationships and collaboration
Principles of Representation, NAVCA (2008)
Benefits to local authorities and LSP partners
• Use the knowledge and skills of local groups to help design and deliver effective services
• Utilise links to ensure services deep-rooted problems that work on the ground
• Strengthen relationships• Explore options for service delivery• Access networks that help deliver changes in attitude• Co-ordinate services to avoid duplication• Link with external funding, assets, volunteers that the
sector brings into the area.
Principles of Representation, NAVCA (2008)
The Representational Relationship
• The representative acts, speaks or is present on behalf of representees
• The context is where the process of representation takes place, eg. The Voluntary and Community Sector Forum and Vision Partnership (LSP)
The Process of Representation
Challenges...
• Number, size and diversity of the voluntary and community sector
• Ensuring effective representation of the sector as a whole
Key roles of third sector representatives
• Being a voice• Influencing decisions• Building the partnership• Promoting the sector
Skilling up for Stronger Voices, NAVCA (2008)
Key tasks of third sector representatives
• Feeding back• Standing up for the sector• Reading papers• Influencing decisions• Collecting information on community needs• Building relationships within the partnership
Skilling up for Stronger Voices, NAVCA (2008)
The skills needed to represent
People Skills
Practical Skills
Partnership Skills
Skilling up for Stronger Voices, NAVCA (2008)
Skills you may need to represent your community
Identified by participants in Representing your Community Training Workshop 26/06/10
Reading information
Negotiating
Standing up for your group
Reporting back to members
Being a voice for your group/sector
Writing reports
Listening to your members
Working in partnership
Collecting information
Contacting other groups
Making decisions
Speaking in public
Managing conflict in representation
You may find:• You wear different ‘hats’ which can conflict• You do not agree with the views of other
representatives in the group• You have to contradict your funder in order to
fulfil your representative role• There is no consensus - reflect the diversity of
opinion• There are confidentiality issues to consider
Before agreeing to take on the representative role...
• Understand what is required – the scope• Understand your motivation• Consider workload and time implications• Consider the skills, qualities and experience
you are bringing to the role
Practical Tips for representatives
• Be prepared• Get yourself known• Get to know others• Understand the etiquette• Listen and make notes• Don’t be afraid to ask• Explain your absences
Getting support• Get information about the role before you
start – any training needs?• Get the Forum membership list• Calendar of meeting dates• Ask for access to relevant past papers• Find out about admin procedures – getting
items on the agenda and circulating information
• An acronym list
Bolton Vision (LSP) Partnership Structure
Stronger Communities Partnership
Strong and Confident
• Housing• Culture• Community cohesion• Social regeneration• Voluntary and Community activity
Bolton Vision PartnersBolton Council
Greater Manchester Police
Bolton Primary Care Trust
Greater Manchester Probation
Bolton CVS
Bolton Community Homes
Bolton Children’s Trust
Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
University of Bolton
Bolton Community College
Job Centre Plus
Learning and Skills Council
Private Sector
Voluntary and Community Sector
Faith Sector
Local Schools
Voluntary and Community Sector Forum
• Welcomes all representatives from Voluntary and Community Groups
• The forum aims to bring together people from a wide representation of voluntary and community groups to discuss issues and enable a collective voice
Benefits
• Share your group's information with others• Exchange ideas, knowledge and experience• Voice ideas, opinions and issues• Enables partnership working with other
organisations• Obtain information about latest developments • Enables statutory organisations, eg Bolton
Council, to consult with groups on services• Share the knowledge obtained with the rest of
your group.
How does the Forum fit in to the Vision Partnership?
• The Voluntary and Community Sector Forum meets every 6 weeks
• 2 representatives elected to sit on Vision• Their role: consult and feedback
Next Meeting Date : Wednesday 25th January 2012For more information contact Diane Craddock on
01204 5466043 or email [email protected]
Other local networks and forums• Health and Wellbeing Forum meets bi-monthly and brings together
carers, service users, staff, volunteers and service providers. Next meeting date: 10th Jan 2012 Contact Farzana on : 01204 546050
• Volunteering Forum gives volunteers and organisations an opportunity to meet, network, learn from each other and to share good practice in volunteering. Next meeting date:30th Jan 2012Contact Shahenaz on 01204 546060
• Children and Young People’s Third Sector Strategic Forum represents the interests of the children and young people’s third sector in Bolton.Contact: [email protected]
For more information on getting involved in representation in Bolton
Contact Helen Tomlinson Bolton CVS on 01204 546017