ARVAC Bulletin 98

Positively Perceived

Alison Crouch assesses the way in which Local Strategic Partnerships view their engagement with the voluntary and community sector.

Introduction
The Regional Forum is the strategic organisation for the voluntary and community sector in Yorkshire and the Humber. It has been supporting the voluntary and community sector to contribute to Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) throughout the region.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting voluntary and community sector engagement, the Forum became increasingly aware of the need to gain an independent view so that it could give feedback to Community Empowerment Networks and voluntary and community sector representatives on LSPs about how their contributions are perceived by LSPs themselves. The Forum therefore commissioned a study to gauge the views and perceptions of LSP staff of voluntary and community sector engagement in their partnership.

The research
Officers from six LSPs in the Yorkshire and Humber region were interviewed for the research. The LSPs were chosen to reflect the diversity of partnerships in the region – including urban and rural, Neighbourhood Renewal and non Neighbourhood Renewal areas, and to ensure representation from all four sub regions.

The interviews were conducted on the basis that no comments would be attributed to any individual participant or LSP, except where examples of good practice were provided.

Each participant was asked about:
· The difference the involvement of the voluntary and community sector has made to the working of the LSP / delivery of the Community Strategy.
· The impact of voluntary and community sector engagement in the LSP.
· The relationship between the LSP support team and the voluntary and community sector representatives and ways the work of the LSP / support team could be better assisted.
· Changes to the way that voluntary and community sector representatives work or contribute to the LSP.
· Action the Regional Forum could take to develop the contribution that voluntary and community sector representatives can make to the LSP.
· Examples of good practice or contributions.
· Comments and views about what the future may hold in terms of voluntary and community sector engagement in LSPs.
· The relationship with voluntary and community sector representatives and other members of the LSP.
· Key messages that the subsequent report should contain.

What did the LSPs say?
In general, the input of the sector is extremely positively received with all partnerships saying that it has brought a different perspective, more closely aligned to what local people want and need. The voluntary and community sector has added breadth, created a different dynamic and ensured that the LSP and Community Strategy is more grounded in the reality of the local area. In all areas, voluntary and community sector involvement has influenced the local Community Strategy, including supporting direct input from local people.

The relationship between the LSP and voluntary and community sector representatives is good, with joint activities taking place across the region. Key to the relationship, however, are the individuals involved. Relationships between other public agencies and the local voluntary and community sector have also improved due to their membership of Local Strategic Partnerships.

Although perceptions of voluntary and community sector input are very positive, potential for improvement exists. This includes ensuring there are engagement structures and resources in all geographical areas, recognising the role of all partnerships in an area – not just the main board of the LSP. It was commented on several times that the actual detail of decision making is often covered at sub-partnership level, so these partnerships are of equal, if not more importance than the main board of the LSP.

LSPs also reported a need for voluntary and community sector representatives to be strategic on behalf of the whole sector and to ensure representatives have a positive and pro-active approach to partnership. Several LSPs expressed frustration that at times the sector will wait for the LSP to make a decision before commenting on it, rather than getting involved in the process leading up to taking the decision.

A number of changes and challenges for the sector were highlighted, particularly in relation to new activities which may bring the public sector more closely together but may not require current levels of voluntary and community sector involvement. The challenge for the sector to be able to evidence the necessity of its involvement is highlighted.

What about the future?
The report records a number of messages for both LSPs and voluntary and community sector representatives to take on board:

· The key message is that the contribution made to date by the voluntary and community sector has had a real impact, has added value to the work of LSPs, and is positively received. However the sector must move onto the next stage which will include ensuring strategic involvement and input.

· Capacity building of the sector is needed to ensure full engagement.

· The voluntary and community sector needs to show why its engagement and involvement will lead to improved public services.

· The sector needs to ensure its ongoing work and activities link to key local strategies and policies, in particular Community Strategies.

· Voluntary and community sector representatives need to be actively involved in the early stages of strategy development.

· Representatives need to be supported and encouraged to be involved at the appropriate LSP level where they can make the most difference.

· Voluntary and community sector representatives need to be able to think strategically and also ensure they are able to represent the sector and not just their own individual organisations and interests.

· The voluntary and community sector needs to acknowledge the importance of the role of individuals on LSPs.

· The voluntary and community sector also needs to acknowledge the role of community leaders and ‘usual suspects’ whilst supporting new representatives to come forward. Emphasis could be given to developing the message rather than the messenger.

· Processes need to be in place to enable the voluntary and community sectors to be honest when things are not working and to share these experiences.

· More work needs to be undertaken by LSPs and public sector agencies around developing the potential service delivery role of the voluntary and community sector.

A number of suggestions were also made for actions the Regional Forum could take to continue to enhance the input made by voluntary and community sector representatives. These are:

· To build on current activities - spreading good practice (including training) and sharing information about what activities other areas are undertaking; helping representatives to understand their role beyond their own organisation and assisting positive approaches to partnership working; supporting local voluntary and community sector infrastructure development; and production of information and communications about new Government guidance aimed at local voluntary and community sectors.

· To develop new areas of work – a ‘health check’ process about engagement for LSPs; a ‘mistakes’ and ‘things that didn’t work’ information exchange; ‘honest broker’ work with emerging voluntary and community sector fora and the sector more generally in areas that do not have Neighbourhood Renewal status.

The full report of “Positively Perceived” can be downloaded free of charge from www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/knowledgebase/400/171.pdf

Alison Crouch is a Development Officer (Engagement) for the Regional Forum.
Contact: alison.crouch@regionalforum.org.uk