improvingsupport.org.uk

Conversation continues between National Support Services and local and regional consortia

An interactive seminar held on 15 May in Birmingham has developed specific ideas and practical recommendations about how local and regional consortia and the new National Support Service (NSS) providers can work with each other. Outcomes from the seminar will feed into the development of the NSS business plans, a process which is due to be completed by the end of July.

The seminar was organised by Capacitybuilders and included delegates from local and regional consortia, the National Support Services, their partners and SKiLD.

Roundtable discussions developed high level ideas identified at a seminar held in January into practical ways for local, regional and national support service providers to work with each other. The first roundtable session considered ‘strategic links and learning’ with discussion of advisory and reference structures, capturing learning and intelligence and strategic role and legacy advice. The second workshop discussed ‘getting delivery right’, Delivering the Capacitybuilders ChangeUp Programme focusing on communications, local and regional delivery and reaching across the sector.

Nigel Siederer presented an initial analysis of where ‘key linkages’ exist between the business plans of local and regional consortia and NSS themes.

Lively debate led to a range of recommendations from delegates;

  • coordinating a series of meetings across the country
  • a streamlined advisory structure
  • making sure national work builds on progress in the regions
  • simple, effective and targeted communications.

Following positive feedback from delegates an idea to have an ‘Improving Support’ magazine to share local, regional and national learning will be developed further by Capacitybuilders.

Capacitybuilders are currently reflecting on recommendations from the seminar and will report on progress at their Annual Conference in June.