MERTON LOCAL INVOLVEMENT NETWORK MEETING 27 March 2008 Richard Poxton Centre for Public Scrutiny National Team

MAIN AIM OF THE LINk To enable local people (individuals organisations and groups) to influence the planning, commissioning and delivery of health and social care services so as to obtain better outcomes.

BACKGROUND ‘Our Health, Our Care, Our Say’ (White Paper, January 2006): more choice and a louder voice. ‘A Stronger Local Voice’ (DH, July 2006): existing Patient and Public Involvement Forums (PPIFs) to be replaced by Local Involvement Networks (LINks): a wide network of voluntary and community groups and interested individuals who will represent the views of patients and the public. Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

DUTIES AND… promoting and supporting the involvement of people in the commissioning, provision and scrutiny of local health and social care services; obtaining the views of people about their needs for, and experiences of, local care services and making these views known to those responsible for commissioning, providing, managing or scrutinising those services; making reports and recommendations about how local care services could be improved, to those responsible for commissioning, providing, managing or scrutinising those services.

…POWERS enter specified types of premises and view the services provided as well as collecting the views and experiences of recipients of services; request information and receive a response within a specified timescale; make reports and recommendations and receive a response within a specified timescale; and, refer matters to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) and receive a response.

HOW LINks WILL OPERATE For local determination A Network not an Organisation Participants and Members Working with existing networks and groups Reaching to all parts of local population Consider the need for locality or issue focussed sub- groups, and whether to work with neighbouring LINks Complement the work of the OSC(s)

SUPPORT – ROLE OF THE HOST ORGANISATION Funding is available to Local Authorities to procure a ‘host’ organisation to support the LINk. The role of the ‘host’ will be to enable, support and facilitate the LINk in all its activities: up to 3 years contract. Host is likely to be a local voluntary sector or not for profit organisation with no potential for conflict of interests. Host is accountable both to the LINk for work undertaken and the Council for contract management.

LINks REGULATIONS, 1 APRIL 2008 Temporary duty on LAs to make arrangements for LINks’ activities to be undertaken. Entering and viewing of premises only by authorised representatives. LINks must have and publish required procedures. LINks must publish their decisions. Service Providers and OSCs must respond to reports and recommendations within 20 working days.

LINks REGULATIONS, 1 APRIL 2008 Service Providers must allow authorised individuals to enter and view, and observe the carrying on of activities “reasonably and proportionately”. Excluded from these arrangements (as well as children’s social care) are non communal areas of care homes, premises used as employees’ accommodation, and premises used as a person’s own home under tenancy or licence.

LOOKING AT LINKs MODELS

ISSUES TO CONSIDER (DH GUIDANCE) Knowledge of local area: needs, challenges and opportunities; organisations and groups, views and priorities. Current networks and connections. Existing knowledge and gaps. Getting a balance between involvement of individuals and of representatives of groups. Communication and engagement with all the local community. Planning what to do and taking decisions. Doing the work: meetings and outreach (visits, reviews, etc) Identifying and obtaining the skills and experience required.

MODEL 1 : KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA EAP (1) Based on a “hub” approach with participants and members agreeing to LINk core functions and then electing/appointing a “hub” to set up governance and manage the work. “Participants” choose to get involved as and when they choose whilst governance and leadership of the LINk is driven by a “membership hub”. The broader group feeds in views and information to the “hub”.

MODEL 2 KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA EAP (2) The host organisation facilitates periodic citizens meetings where priorities are identified and decisions taken. These meetings set up task groups to review, consult, consider, etc. for report back and to local statutory agencies. There is no central “hub”.

MODEL 3 COUNTY DURHAM EAP Basis is a LINk Steering Group Emphasis is on working with various partners. Work programme is developed with input from voluntary and community groups. Cyclical approach that starts with a strategic overview to establish priorities. Host ensures work gets done effectively.

MODEL 4 DONCASTER EAP

Build on and adapt PPIF systems rather than start from scratch. Initially a Development Group of active members. Steering Group that is elected and accountable: policy, governance and operations, formal contacts. Need to consider whether to have representative roles and how to operate. Chair of Steering Group is a key role, including in relation to host organisation. Specialist Sub Groups (e.g. Mental Health, Primary Care, Acute Health) and Specialist Task Groups (time limited).

MODEL 5 MEDWAY EAP Steering Group should be only those eligible to be LINk members. Also, an Advisory Group of other interested and supportive parties who are not eligible. Draft structure: core, regularly involved, reactive, wider community. Locality sub groups, themed groups and time limited task groups.

LINk INITIAL TASKS Governance and Accountability – agreeing roles and responsibilities within the LINk Getting a broad membership Developing procedures for how the LINk will operate: decision making, powers of entry, code of conduct, expenses, etc. Clear aims – a shared vision for health and social care Agreeing first priorities – issues to be addressed: build up a work plan Be clear about what is already happening locally Developing an engagement plan: awareness raising, community engagement, relations with Voluntary Organisations, Commissioners, Providers, OSC