Building Community Representative and Partner Capacity and Capability to Support New CPP Structures

Kirsty Duerden

Project Outline 12 week internship project

Examine the development of members capacity and organisational capability to contribute effectively to CPPs and Area Partnerships

Development of consistent approach, increased levels and appreciation of community engagement, and service delivery reflective of locally expressed needs

Actions

AP member interviews

Follow up surveys

Partner approaches

Review of existing arrangements

Initial Findings Need for induction training

Need for group training on how to develop a collective and cohesive approach

Practical skill training requested

Individual capacity development on optional basis

Training for all levels within CPP

CCLG Findings General agreement with initial findings

Support for a training/capacity building programme

Back to basics, simple bitesize chunks Community Councillor responsibilities Practical skills - website development, meeting skills Training in planning/licensing, acronyms

Extend scope of project to CC level

Further Survey FindingsQuestion % of Respondents Replying ‘YES’

Community Councillor Area Partnership Member

Do you understand the new CPP structures?

53 60

Do you understand your role on the structure?

97 72

Do you possess the necessary skills and competencies to effectively perform your role?

84 71

Have you received any form of induction training in your role?

6 12

Have you received any form of individual capacity development in your role?

9 7

Induction Training Explanation of new CPP structures

Developing clarity and understanding of role and expectations

Understanding the role of other members for effective working

Knowledge of support available

Flexible approach needed

Induction Training “Whilst I consider I have an understanding of what I can bring to the

partnership, I think it would be helpful to understand fully what others can, and also what they expect of me in my role”

“Training/information for members on how to explain the structures of CPP and role of Area Partnerships would be useful”

“There has been no input in terms of training towards these positions, and/or guidance on how they should be approached. Unless there is formal training of some sort, most people would find it difficult to fulfil the task asked particularly if the arena is not familiar to them”

“Induction training is in my view essential! I could really have done with that. The new structures have been communicated to us, but I feel that unless you engage with them directly the emails and documentation and websites are fairly meaningless. So some group development with a presentation on the new structures would be very welcome”

Group Development Guiding group through group

development stages Forming, storming, norming, performing

Developing an effective team with shared goals and interests

Links to induction – understanding of other roles

Group Development “I agree it would be very worthwhile if the CPP

Partnership Forum members received joint inductions training as a group, particularly if the Forum has to take a more strategic role in their locality. I think this would make the Forum more effective and would also enable members to build good working relationships, help members to gain a better picture of the area the Forum covers, learn about the needs of their local area and also gain a better understanding of each”

“Group training would assist with the formation of a cohesive and effective area partnership team”

“I think there would be value in collective group training so all parties could hear the same message in terms of their and other partners input in the process”

Practical Skill Training

Meeting skills – Chairing, taking Minutes, etc.

Use of IT and communication tools

Practical Skill Training “I think some of the training suggestions such as minute

taking and chairing meetings are very important and I would be happy to participate in these”

“There’s a need for additional training – particularly in IT skills, computer literacy and Social Media for most of our Community Councils in Glasgow. There is a huge variety of skills levels in these areas across the various CCs – some high accomplished, others barely at Square One! We all need to have these important communication skills. People need a sense that such skills are not an ‘option’, but an absolute necessity. The argument ‘ I just don’t get all this computer stuff…’ is not an answer”

Individual Capacity Building

Key skills required reflect core skills relevant to effective community engagement practice

Individual voluntary basis

Training modules

Individual Capacity Building “I do think that individual practical training would

be a godsend for some people – I was lucky to know all about that because of my working background”

“If the underlying game is to raise the level of participation, then some of these appointments/posts, training or the ability to demonstrate the required level of competence should be considered mandatory”

“I know our council would definitely benefit from training on the necessary skills required to better perform our roles”

Additional Findings - Community Councillor

Increased support from CCRC

Request for professional administrator

Simplified documentation

Additional Findings - Area Partnership Member

Achieving consistent partnership working

Inclusion of substitute members

All members offered the same training programme

Further Issues Arising

Barriers to training Reluctance of members Time constraints

People learn in different ways Variety of training approaches

Partner Approaches

Interviews with: Glasgow Life Glasgow Housing Association NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Voluntary Sector

Conclusions Findings consistent with previous reports

Training required and supported at all levels of CPP

The main issue is a lack of understanding of structures and roles

Induction training is a priority

All training should be voluntary, flexible and offered to all members

Recommendations Definite need for induction training at all CPP

levels

Formalised group induction and development session

Piloted in new CC’s Evaluation Adapted to Area/Sector Partnerships

Further formal explanation of structures at AP/CC meetings at discretion of Chair

Option of an induction/refresher session open to all

Recommendations Practical skill development through peer

learning and refresher courses

Individual capacity training modules based on existing GCC employee development

Use of personal development plans

Exploration of online platform for training and development

Any Questions?

Thank you for listening