Developing effective VCS engagement in the new world of health and social care – Post Event Page

As health and social care structures continue to evolve it can be challenging for both statutory and VCS organisations to know how they should work collaboratively to develop meaningful engagement practices.

VCS organisations can provide a rich source of intelligence to contribute to the development of effective approaches to shape local health and wellbeing needs assessments and priorities.

Whilst engagement is theoretically possible the reality is that effective VCS engagement with statutory health and wellbeing systems often represents an inconsistent and under developed area of practice.

To help contribute to the development of effective approaches for VCS engagement One East Midlands and East Midlands Councils organised this event in Newark on Tuesday 26 March, designed to highlight leading engagement practice taking place across the East Midlands region. 

The session was aimed anyone with an interest in the development of effective health and social care engagement with VCS partners, including Health and Wellbeing Board members, Health Watch organisations, Clinical Commissioning Groups, VCS infrastructure organisations, VCS providers, Public Health professionals and Local Authority commissioning managers.

The session aimed to: 

  • Clarify the role and responsibilities of Health and Wellbeing boards (HWBs) and their need to support effective engagement.
  • Clarify the use of Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNAs) and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies (JHWSs) to inform the strategic direction of Health and Wellbeing Boards.
  • Inform the development of effective engagement approaches between local VCS organisations and Health and Wellbeing Boards.
  • Inform the development of effective engagement approaches between Health Watch organisations and local VCS organisations.
  • Reveal possible approaches for VCS engagement in the development of JSNAs and JHWSs
  • Share learning regarding effective VCS engagement in health and social care practice across the region.
  • Produce an event report for East Midlands Councils to inform future recommendations for effective VCS engagement in health and social care needs assessments and priorities.

The event included a key note speech by Dr Tony Hill, Health and Wellbeing Board Chair and Director of Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council, followed by three back-to-back sessions, each including a presentation and question and answer session, followed by the opportunity to network with other delegates and the speakers over lunch. The three sessions were on:

  • VCS engagement with Health & Wellbeing Boards
  • VCS engagement with strategic priorities and needs
  • VCS engagement with Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Speakers at the event included:

  • Dr Tony Hill, Health and Wellbeing Board Chair and Director of Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council
  • Richard Hazledine, ConnectMore Solutions on behalf of One East Midlands
  • Shobha Asar-Paul, Public Health Implementation Team, Local Government Association
  • Sarah Collis, Chief Executive, Self Help Nottingham
  • Cheryl Cooper, Project Manager, Heath & Wellbeing transition, NHS Nottingham City / Nottingham City Council
  • David Stacey, Programme Manager for Public Health, Lincolnshire County Council
  • Lisa Holmes, Programme Officer, Lincolnshire County Council
  • Jane Carr, Deputy CEO, Northampton Volunteer Centre.

The event report and presentations can be downloaded below: