« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
AN UPDATE ON…LOCAL PRACTITIONER FORUMS
There are now 14 local practitioner forums ( LPFs) active across Scotland and 12 other local areas are at varying stages of development. The Scottish Government facilitated a meeting to bring those actively involved with LPFs together in November, with one of the main aims of the meeting being to encourage collaboration and networking between LPFs. Below is an example of how working collaboratively, one LPF has got off the ground…
RUN BY LOCAL PRACTITIONERS FOR LOCAL PRACTITIONERS
WORKING TOGETHER - THE STORY OF WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE LOCAL PRACTITIONER FORUM'S JOURNEY - SHELLEY FERGUSON, FACILITATOR, WEST DUNBARTON LPF
"At the beginning of this year I was asked to become involved in the facilitation of the local learning network and the local practitioners forum ( LPF) in West Dunbartonshire. During 2007 there had been attempts to establish two separate groups, however the momentum of both groups slowed very quickly and it became increasingly difficult to establish a core membership and coordinate meetings which ensured a quorum to enable both groups to act effectively as forums where decisions could be made and taken forward.
Upon reflection of the progress of both groups it became apparent that there were similarities to their broad aims and objectives. It seemed to be a natural progression to consider amalgamating these two groups that appeared to complement each other, acknowledging the need for the group to have a clear focus and to be proactive whilst considering the workloads and time commitment of staff.
Both the Local Practitioner Forum tool kit and the aims and objectives from Learning Network West provided guidance and a base for developing the work of a forum. Both place a strong emphasis upon the value of collaboration and partnership, the need to learn from one another and develop services which are sensitive to the needs of local people and both complement the local strategy to service delivery.
There was a need to have a forum which enabled people to feel they could express themselves in a safe environment, where they would be listened to and supported. Primarily we wanted to create a culture of learning where people can learn from one another, value one another's expertise and experience but also learn to understand differing values and practices. This would foster better working relationships and would also contribute to the up-skilling of the workforce and ultimately better experiences and service delivery for service users.
To date West Dunbartonshire has had two meetings. We are still building our membership but we currently have a core group of approximately 16 representatives from across the voluntary, independent and private sectors, local authorities and health. We are also being supported by Julie Thomson, the Development Officer from the Learning Network West and by the Scottish Government. To help spread the responsibility for participation some teams have nominated a core group of staff who will rotate responsibility for attending meetings and providing feedback.
We are ultimately working towards a launch date in June whereby we will host an event which will be run by local practitioners, for local practitioners. Given the nature of the group and the current practice emphasis upon integrated working the theme of the event will be partnership and collaboration, with the experiences and outcomes for service users central to the debate.
Our broad vision is to provide an opportunity to learn, highlight good practice and service development as well as highlight gaps and areas where change needs to happen. We also aim to provide staff with a voice where issues can be taken forward and discussed in the most appropriate forum. We have set out a mission statement and work plan for the coming year which we hope will further develop once we have the opportunity to engage with a wider audience and we are in the process of giving our group a new name to encompass the ethos of both LPFs and Local Learning Network.
To raise the profile of the group and promote participation we have agreed to publish all minutes on careknowledge (www.careknowledge.com) and the learning network site and the learning network will also administer and support an online discussion forum which will be advertised through both sites, as well as the CVS workforce newsletter.
It would be remiss of me to say this process has been an easy one, as there will always be debate and tensions when attempting to facilitate such a group as to what is a priority and what can be achieved. However all of the evidence would suggest "communication is a fundamental benefit of integrated working… Working daily with professionals from various backgrounds and often with different philosophies can bring fresh perspectives." 1
I believe people come into social care to make a difference and that we are working in a time of dynamic change which, if we can work together, can make a real difference to the local services we deliver, and the formation and commitment of members to a local forum is a step towards making this happen."
For further information on LPFs please visit the LPF page on the socialworkscotland websitehttp://www.socialworkscotland.org.uk/forum2.php
1 Dan Parton, Better Caring(no1 January 2008))
« Previous | Contents | Next »