Voluntary Sector Representatives on Health and Wellbeing
BoardsFree text input into survey, March 2014
This document contacts the free text that survey respondents inputted to the survey about
engagement with health and wellbeing boards in response to the question:
Tell us about what is working well, raising voluntary sector issues with
health and wellbeing boards, that would be good to share in other areas
and/or things that are challenging about working with health and wellbeing
boards and things that would help you. This could be around:
 support for the local voluntary sector to engage with the work of the
health and wellbeing board
 organisations using their data/evidence creatively to influence the joint
strategic needs assessment
 voluntary sector involvement in developing the joint health and
wellbeing strategy
.
The recommendations derived from this input can be found on the survey report which can
be accessed on http://www.regionalvoices.org/hwb-reps/survey Text in this appendix has
been made anonymous so that particular boards/individuals are not recognised, however,
where geographic information was shared we are following up to develop case studies.
Thanks to all who shared their experience with us through this survey.
Things are going well ................................................................................... 1
Better Care Fund/Integration ........................................................................ 2
Sub-groups................................................................................................... 2
Funding ........................................................................................................ 3
Geography ................................................................................................... 3
Who is the rep? Conflict of interest .............................................................. 3
VCS coordination required ........................................................................... 3
Case studies ................................................................................................ 4
Things are going well
The voluntary sector has a greater level of co-ordination to express the views of the sector.
It is clearly understood that as it is a public meeting, the role of board members is not to go
`off-piste' but to raise contentious issues only if they have been well-rehearsed
beforehand, and that the feedback is generally constructive in nature. Within these
constraints, comments and feedback are welcomed.
We have a good representation at all levels below the HWB which is essential to be able
to influence the work as it progresses.
Early days as yet, however I do feel that, as there is both a Community representative and
a voluntary sector representative as well as a Co-Opted member from the Voluntary
Sector and also a Healthwatch representative on the Board, the Local Authority has
demonstrated a commitment to engage fully. There is also support available outside of the
meetings for the VCS reps to ensure clear understanding and engagement.
Good to see action plans for Health and wellbeing Strategies with timescales and the
person/ dept responsible for actions
We have good links between our H&SC VCS forum and the HWB Board - Via the CVS rep
and Healthwatch rep. We are working with colleagues on the HWB Board to agree high
level priorities and collaborating on Dementia and also Social Value.
Whilst it is still early days and many of the agendas have focused on key aspects around
Better Care, Public Health Strategy, the voluntary sector has been invited to contribute to
collective presentations alongside the CCGs and District Councils around specific themes
e.g. older people and Strategic Commissioning Plans and Health & Well Being. There is to
be a new Joint Strategic Needs Assessment steering group which will act as a steering
group to formulate the development of the JSNA and produce recommendations and
proposals for approval by the H&WB Board. It will also act as a working group to coordinate and when necessary requests or commission the work needed to develop the
JSNA process. I have been invited to be part of the JSNA steering group. This will
hopefully provide a conduit and opportunities for the wider voluntary sector to be engaged
and influence the strategy.
Better Care Fund/Integration
we were able to make a comment about the Better Care Fund that this should not just be
about existing providers but look for some new solutions using the voluntary sector - and
this was endorsed by the CCG representative. In a sense, the voluntary sector
representation on the board is more about showing that we have a place and
acknowledging us as partners.
There is still a substantive piece of work to be done to ensure the 'Wellbeing' part of the
title has equal focus as the Health part. Although there have been good, positive and
robust discussions with regard Early Intervention services we are still to see that translate
through into commissioning intent and action.
Within the context of 'integration' the voluntary sector can at times feel like an after-thought
and at present not an equal partner. The Better Care Fund presents a real opportunity but
the Voluntary Sector needs to proactively inform that and been seen to be an Equal
Partner within it.
Sub-groups
There is a Health and Well-being Executive where we are also represented - this does all
the work behind the scenes and does offer a genuine opportunity to shape the agenda.
we have a cross sector working group looking at poverty and so we give evidence from
that to the board. we also have a stakeholder group we meet just before each board so we
can collate views and present a united voice to the board. challenge is that the authority
reps are just about to change and responsibility is going to be delegated. Public Health as
new kids on the block are now grounded and it seems as if their agenda is going to
dominate
The relationship between the voluntary sector is seen as key to delivering many outcomes,
have been asked and supported in leading sub-group work.
commissioning here is starting to better engage with the sector and we were influential
with early Intervention planning. sadly, the rest of the commissioning was done in a
different way
Funding
Our biggest challenge is the lack of funding to our local CVS which lost its contract to a
private provider that does not really understand the needs of our sector. We therefore do
what we can but no longer have the funded officer support that used to come through the
CVS. We are working hard to win back this contract in the long run. I am able to raise
issues at Health and Wellbeing Boards but realistically, the main interest seems to be in
the work of the CCGs rather than the Voluntary Sector.
Geography
There is a major challenge in our area with X CCGs, Y District Councils and one High Tier
LA with regard co-terminus boundaries. There is a danger there is not one plan for our
area but rather a number of quite different and contrasting sub-plans. Of course difference
and variety needs to be recognised and embraced but there is a danger of merely
reinforcing the status-quo.There is a willingness and desire for culture change and I
believe the CVS in our area is actually at the forefront of leading that change.
Who is the rep? Conflict of interest
Many local community Voluntary organisations such as CVSs represent the voluntary
sector and influence Health and Wellbeing Boards. But, many now compete for services
and this can distract messages and priorities. Independent local voluntary services should
be able to have their own voice and not represented by competitors. Local charities are the
voice for their beneficiaries and if they are not given a voice themselves then often small
voices are not heard. CVSs can not be the voice for all voluntary services and then
compete for services against the small charities they represent. This is a conflict of interest
and very frustrating for local charities.
It's difficult here as the HWBB reserves the right to choose the VCS rep. This is not
representation! We believe should be chosen by those whom are represented
VCS coordination required
the primary issue in our area has been a lack of co-ordination amongst the voluntary
sector rather than a lack of opportunity to participate and influence. Locally a new
reformed structure for accountability and reporting is being developed but at this point
there is no established route. As a result, although we as a specific organisation work
hard and commit resources to be in a position of influence, the sector as a whole may not
be in the same position. It is critical that on a local basis the sector has it's act together to
make the most of influencing and developmental opportunities.
Case studies
Several respondents gave us more details about how things are working in their areagood/interesting practice to share. We are currently working these up and will share once
completed.
If you require this information in an alternative format or further
information email or call: contact@regionalvoices.org 0113 394
2300