Expert Advisory Team - Getting Ready for LINks
Each of the 150 health OSCs could access free support from a CfPS advisory team - a range of health scrutiny experts drawn from across the local government and health sectors. During the support programme, 128 health OSCs were engaged with the Advisory Team:
- 30 county councils
- 40 unitary councils
- 30 metropolitan borough councils
- 28 London borough councils
The OPM evaluation of the team showed that OSCs were helped to:
- understand the health economy
- choose informed priorities
- manage work programmes
- work with neighbours and PPI Forums
- secure greater public awareness of and involvement in health scrutiny
This helped OSCs to:
- improve their skills and capability
- be more independent, strategic and outcome focused
- promote positive partnership working with partner agencies
- improve understanding for participants of the health scrutiny environment
- gain external validation and a higher profile for health scrutiny
English social services authorities can now book placements with the Team to help them “get ready for LINks”.
In summary, social services authorities in England can receive up to 3 days support between September 2007 and March 2008. The support will help them:
- understand the rationale for LINks and their impact
- begin discussions with local people and groups about how to develop the local LINk
- understand the skills required from “host” organizations and the timescales for contracting with a suitable “host”
- establish good relationships between the executive, overview and scrutiny committees, the “host” and the LINk
Support from the Expert Advisory Team is funded by CfPS as part of our commitment towards making LINks successful and is free to councils (unless placements are unreasonably cancelled by councils).
Placements must be booked with the Peer Clearing House by 31 December 2007. To book your Council’s placement, please contact the Peer Clearing House at peer.clearinghouse@idea.gov.uk or 020 7296 6609. Please note that we longer have regional advocates for this programme and all queries about the EAT must be made through PCH or CfPS
