Skilled Representation and Stronger Voices

Skilling Up for Stronger Voices published by NAVCA reports on two research projects highlighting the role that representatives play in LSPs (Local Strategic Partnerships) and the skills and abilities they need and use.

The document reports on the roles that representatives have in LSPs the range of key tasks that they carry out the types of skills and abilities they are using. It is hoped the material will be useful in supporting representatives and the organisations working with them

The research has produced an outline of the range of roles and duties being carried out by third sector representatives and proposes a framework that describes the skills and abilities they are using. The material may also be of interest to representatives on LSPs from other sectors.

The document is embedded here as a Scribd publication:

View this document on Scribd

FACTSHEET – Why get involved in community representation?

Children England (formerly the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations) has produced a factsheet explaining why children, young people and families should be involved in the decision-making about services affecting them.

The 2-page document is very easy to read and understand and makes some important points about representation including the fact that representation costs and somebody needs to pay to make sure that it takes place effectively.

On the issue of what makes for good representation the document has the following to say:

“Representatives should reflect the breadth of the sector and be linked to established forums, networks, local VCS support organisations, alliances and umbrella organisations. They need to represent the views of the sector, not just the views of their own organisations, and they need to be bound by any collective decisions taken. There will also be times when organisations do not agree, and representatives will have to present several, differing points of view. Methods of ensuring accountability must be in place and should be reviewed and evaluated regularly.”

This is a useful short document that deserves a wider readership and will be useful reference for those currently reviewing representation at Blackpool’s Strategic Partnership. It can be downloaded from Why Factsheets – Children England or for convenience and wider local circulation can be viewed/downloaded here as a Scribd document.

Participatory Budgeting – The issue of representation

The following is taken in its entirety from the PB Unit Website. It’s a long article included here as a result of the Community Grapevine. However, it provides a useful contribution to the general debate on ‘representation’ as well as on Participatory Budgeting.

The issue of representation

One of the most common questions the PB Unit is asked at conferences, seminars, and training events is about representation. There are two main issues that are commonly raised: how important is it that different groups are fairly represented and how do you go about ensuring fair representation and how do you manage the potential of particular individuals or groups ‘hijacking’ an event by getting all their supporters to vote for their project? This page aims to address some of those issues and help organisers think through the risks around representation.

Skilling up for LSPs

Research on leadership skills for effective strategic representation

This report published last year by NAVCA (National Association of Voluntary and Community Action) set out to identify the list of competencies that are needed to effectively undertake the strategic partnership / representation role on the executive boards of LSPs.

Executive boards of LSPs present third sector strategic representatives with both challenges and opportunities.

Representatives are under pressure to perform well and are subject to many demands – from their ‘constituents’ who want to know what’s happening, to other partners who want valuable input from the sector.

However, nationally there is very little support on offer for these representatives and very few skills development opportunities.

The findings of the research revealed that representatives are likely to undertake the following tasks:

1. Building relationships within the partnership
2. Developing a view
3. Standing up for the sector whilst maintaining      good relationships
4. Influencing decisions
5. Arguing your case
6. Feeding back information to groups
7. Reading papers and analysing complex
documents
8. Bridging differences in cultures between
communities and organisations
9. Enabling and facilitating others to be involved
in the process
10. Promoting the LSP and being accountable
for collective decisions
11. Influencing the agenda
12. Making decisions about funding and
resources
13. Reflecting on your ways of doing things
14. Collecting information on needs
15. Taking part in negotiations (contract or
otherwise)
16. Writing and presenting information and
reports
17. Resolving conflict

Building on this task list the research went on to identify 12 key competencies:

1. Partnership working
2. Representing
3. Negotiation
4. Mediation
5. Political skills
6. Communicating
7. Using values
8. Being strategic
9. Assertiveness
10. Self awareness
11. Problem solving
12. Accessing and using knowledge

The interviews carried out for this research showed that 55% of all representatives who responded had not received any support, learning opportunities or induction to directly address the skills and abilities they needed.

The report concludes by highlighting the potential there is to use the competency list for designing a new learning programme that can be geared towards improving effective representation.

Copies of the report are available free from NAVCA or SURF can copy the Executive Summary of the document for those not online – copying charge applies (0.32p).