Representation and involvement in decision-making boards

The Health and Social Care Officer represents the voluntary and community sector on a range of local health bodies. To do this effectively the Officer listens to the concerns raised and reports them back to a number of partnership boards. Lewisham's decision-making bodies are undergoing a period of review where some changes are anticipated, including how the voluntary sector is involved. Most notably, the local authority are considering how best to develop the shadow Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Future of Partnerships and voluntary sector representation

Voluntary sector representation was one of the most talked about subjects at our last health and social care forum in October. Currently, there are a number of partnership boards with voluntary sector representation, including :

• Carers 
• Learning Disability 
• Older Adults and 
• Younger Adults

In addition there is voluntary sector representation on the:

• Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board

However, there is no standardised role for each of the reps who attend. For instance, the mental health partnership board does not currently have voluntary sector representation. Part of our work here at VAL involves trying to ensure that there are structures in place to provide a voice for voluntary sector reps by working alongside the council. At the last forum we got a range of feedback on these structures, and this included suggestions on how to make these boards work better for the voluntary sector. A further motivation for reviewing these partnership boards is that there is also the possibility that a health and wellbeing board may be created in the coming year.

At VAL we are interested in finding out from members what they think. Perhaps you have a comment about who would be a suitable rep for each of the boards? If so, you might want to come to the next reps meeting - see below.

Your comments count: A Meeting for Potential and Existing Voluntary Sector Reps

VAL is arranging a meeting for existing and potential VCS reps on the LSP, the thematic boards that report to the LSP, and the various subgroups that sit below the thematic boards. VAL staff will facilitate the event and we will also have a number of presentations from council officers. The meeting will take place on Thursday 15 September, from 9.30 – 12.30pm, at St Laurence Centre.

Further information will be available shortly, but it will be an opportunity to discuss and learn about the work of the boards, the role of voluntary sector reps, and reporting arrangements. If you are interested in attending, or in finding out more, please ring 020 8314 9841 or email Mark.