Partnership Working

As public services have improved, many of the key challenges we now face are where a ‘joined up’ response is required. The places that most successfully address these challenges are where partnerships between public services and citizens are strongest. However, even in these areas, improved partnerships still offer the greatest opportunity for improvement and cost efficiencies.

One of our key strengths is in developing and facilitating partnership approaches to tackling issues. This is driven by our practical experience at various levels, from neighbourhood, local and sub-regional, of how working across organisations and sectors can improve service delivery and outcomes for communities, and deliver efficiencies for organisations.

CASE STUDY
Tendring District Council partnership development

CASE STUDY
Direct Linc – Lincolnshire

Public services are entering the third stage of generating efficiencies whilst delivering improved services. The first was an emphasis on service specific efficiencies. The second phase has focused on delivering economies of scale across organisations of the same kind. The third is reducing duplication and improving efficiencies of scale across different types of organisations working in the same geography. This latter phase is known as Total Place or Place-Based Budgeting.

There are a variety of ways to address this but perhaps the best way is issue based and taking a systems thinking approach. This follows the issue from its origins through to its resolution to understand inputs and outputs across all organisations. With our unrivalled background in neighbourhood management, MGA have the skills and experience to help you deliver your local approach.

Successful organisations dedicate time to building organisational culture and the necessary skills and knowledge within their staff. The same is true of partnerships that are successful over the long term. We believe that culture change and rebuilding trust are at the heart of the new agenda to turn service user into active citizen and this is our focus.

MGA offer bespoke training packages to strengthen joint working to suit individual circumstances. Our track record in training is strong with a range of audiences from senior managers to frontline staff, elected Members to community activists. Of course, partnership training for combinations of these groups can produce the biggest step changes and we relish this kind of work.

CASE STUDY
Lewisham Assembly Support

New partnerships, and those undergoing change, can often benefit from hands on support and expertise in its day-to-day work. MGA can offer the full range of support from interim management, staff development, development of governance and systems, meeting facilitation, and networking and communication.

CASE STUDY
Greater Dogsthorpe Neighbourhood Management

Partnerships overseeing strategies, programmes and projects will regularly undertake delivery planning or action planning with a view to setting the agenda for the forthcoming period. MGA can offer support for these processes, using a range of methodologies that best suit the partnership in question.  We are well practiced at quickly getting to grips with a set of local issues, services and performance data and bringing stakeholders together to develop jointly owned action plans that make a difference.

CASE STUDY
Great Yarmouth Neighbourhood Management Action Plan