Capacitybuilders

Conversation continues between National Support Services and local and regional consortia

22/05/2008

On 15 May, Capacitybuilders invited local and regional consortia, National Support Services, their partners and SKiLD to join an interactive seminar in Birmingham. The event 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.

Linking up and working together

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.

Strategic links and learning

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.

Delivery

The second workshop discussed ‘getting delivery right’, focusing on communications, local and regional delivery and reaching across the sector.

Existing linkages

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 pm progress in the regions
simple, effective and targeted communications.

Reporting on progress

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.