Community Learning Development Resource 301 – 4
CONSULTATIVE MECHANISMS
SUMMARY
Ways identified by community development workers locally (Leicestershire) of consulting with local people and communities – examples of different activities and opportunities for consulting, talking with people, engaging in planning activities and gaining evaluative feedback.
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EXAMPLE |
PURPOSE OF CONSULTATION |
| 1.1 Focus groups
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Set up by services, agencies, networks/partnerships to encourage local people to participate in the local identification and assessment of needs. Also to provide advice and evaluative feedback to providers about the quality of provision and services.
Is there evidence of concern to ensure representation by minorities, non-users, etc. |
| 1.2. Community forums | Consultative groupings set up largely to provide a consultative component in the development and improvement of communities and services. Usually constructed as to be representative in relation to the local community profile. Often with a broad remit but also may be short-term – task or issue focused. |
| 1.2 Village Appraisals | Facilitated locally by the Rural Community Council, starting with a public meeting to set up a Steering Group. An opportunity for local providers to be involved in establishing the purposes and designing the house-to-house survey questionnaire. A Village Appraisal can include a wide range of issues of which Post-16 learning opportunities might only be a minor concern. Liaison with providers at the report and action planning stages is an expectation. ( ‘Done by local people, for local people’) |
| 1.3. ‘Planning for Real’ | An interactive 3D community modelling approach to community planning, encouraging local people to participate in a process.
‘ Compromise and consensus become easier, because everyone’s line of vision converges on the subject matter – the model itself – allowing non-threatening communication and participation’. ( Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation) |
| 1.5 Active Visioning Events/ Future Search Conferences | People representing local interests or ‘stakeholder’ groups are brought together in a structured (past – present – future framework) with experienced facilitation. The conferences last between one and three days, with careful attention given to the numbers and the perspectives being brought to the table.(Future Search Website) |
| 1.7 Provider review & planning | Individual service providers or partnerships reviewing their organisation, provision and services, may also seek the involvement of participants, non-users and outside stakeholders, often through a formal consultative mechanism.
Many statutory services have consultative forums, advisory or reference groups – consumer-based, required by statute or as part of their quality strategy. |
| 1.8 ‘Best Value’ or Quality reviews | Central Government has required Local Authorities to consult with local people about the quality of services. May also use focused reviews on service sectors , e.g., on Post-16 learning. |
| 1.9 Youth work ‘voice capturing’ – Youth Services &
the ConneXions Service
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A number of national initiatives encourage the active participation of young people in planning. Statutory youth services are required to consult with young people, to gain feedback about their needs, the quality of provision and their ideas for future services. The Government Office (GOEM) is concerned to encourage good consultative practice linked to the development of the ConneXions Service.
The requirements on youth services for a youth work curriculum include a substantial focus on the empowerment of young people in relation to citizenship and communities. Young people are encouraged to become active citizens and to play a part in community development, etc. |
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| 2.1 Community newspapers | Local providers and communities produce local magazines or newsletters to prompt feedback and participation by local people. Such activity builds links with community members and groups. |
| 2.2 Community websites | Locally developed, often supported by a local learning provider. Encourages both the involvement of local people in setting-up the website and visits to the site by local people and others. Often developed from local/outreach IT learning activity. |
| 2.3 Community venues – use of premises and facilities, and the development of provision | Community venues – accommodation and facilities within local communities, run by a variety of bodies and agencies, with many developed and managed through local community arrangements – village halls; church halls; voluntary organisations – Age Concern Centres, etc.
Substantial leisure programme provision by local authorities and commercial providers through leisure centres, arts venues, sports venues, etc.
Many educational institutions are also community resources, accessing community groups and individuals to a variety of informal learning, social, sport and cultural activities. These also provide links with local communities and community/voluntary sector groups.
Local libraries, museums and resource centres – a sector with an increasing commitment to learning development work – providing an important interface with local people with access to a variety of resources and facilities. |
| 2.4 Community action | The active involvement local people in relation to local issues and concerns – e.g., environmental improvements, traffic management, development protests. Responsible bodies, service, the voluntary sector and education and training providers stimulate activity and engage with local people. |
| 2.5 Community
volunteering and voluntary groups
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Extensive activity voluntary and community groups with a capacity for community action and renewal. Also a key Post-16 learning sector with many voluntary organisations engaged in education and training provision. Much evidence of a concern to relate to and consult with grass roots. Generally well able to work in partnership or as local proxies within the consultative strategies of umbrella voluntary bodies (e.g., the CVS) and other services and providers. Important consultative and co-working networks. |
| 2.6 Community
networking |
Networking contributes greatly to information sharing, collective working and capturing the voice of local people, groups and communities. There are a variety of local networks within most communities and neighbourhoods. Organisations and workers, as well as local people are able to use networking. The use and maintenance of effective networking is an important aspect of community development. |
| 2.7 Neighbourhood
Renewal |
Structures based on poor neighbourhoods with a ‘joined-up’ approach to tackle neighbourhood deprivation. The Social Exclusion Unit, through regional Government Offices encourages local authority (‘Beacon Council’ theme) and agency/service partnerships, which will prepare strategies involving all sections of the community. Post-16 learning links include : Family Learning, employment training, and Basic Skills learning ( the establishment of fixed or mobile, neighbourhood learning centres). ‘Renewing and revitalising poor neighbourhoods’.
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| 2.8 Local Strategic Partnerships, Locality Partnerships and Community Strategies | Key national community development/regeneration initiative, delivered by local authorities with Central Government direction that includes a requirement for effective participation by local people. Partnership co-ordination and planning provides a framework for connecting with residents across a range of issues and concerns identified as themes or strands within the local community strategy. |
PROMPTS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
- Why should service providers consult with clients/consumers?
- What are the characteristics of consultancy best practice?
- What learning needs of adults might need to be addressed, in order for them to participate effectively in a consultative process within a local Community Strategy?
- What is the nature of the learning that can occur when local people are consulted?
- How well does your organisation capture the voice of local people?