Camden: engaging stakeholders

Camden’s approach to ensuring that the views of key stakeholders are used to help develop their new care practices is outlined below:

Customer reference group

The customer reference group is made up of local people who either receive care and support from the council or who care for someone who does. The group acts as a sounding board, offering opinions and advice on aspects of better care choices as they arise. Past discussion topics have included the supported self assessment, a catalogue of services for customers and resources for customers. The group plays a key role in making recommendations to the better care choices project board.

TASC Force (Transforming Adult Social Care)

The TASC Force meets quarterly and their purpose is to act as a critical friend through the better care choices process. It is made up of the following: executive member for adult social care and health chair; director of housing and adult social care; chair of the health and well-being board and one independent academic advisor.

The TASC Force also includes representation from the following range of groups: Mental Health Foundation Trust; BME alliance; Health Inequalities forum; Camden NHS; three voluntary sector organisations as voted by VAC; one representative from the customer reference group; one member of the staff champions group.

The TASC Force listens to evidence presented by those involved with developing, implementing and directing better care choices in Camden. While it has no formal decision making powers it can offer recommendations, views and advice which is made publicly available. There are also two provider reference groups - one for voluntary service providers and one for independent service providers.