Appropriate Skills and Knowledge:
North East: ISCAN - Internal Review of Services and Skills
In order to support the introduction of minimum standards and effective practice hallmarks through the ISCAN programme (the Intelligence-led delivery of Safety Communities Across the North East) an extensive learning needs analysis (LNA) was carried out using a literature review, focus groups, observations, examination of current training and a questionnaire to partnerships. This review process, which was conducted by Government Office North East, explored the overall knowledge and skills base within all the CDRPs in the North East region. The review focused on the following areas:
- The local delivery landscape.
- Performance and programme management knowledge.
- Business planning.
- Legal awareness.
- People management skills.
- Technology and information knowledge.
- Research skills.
The information collected by the review process gave Government Office North East an insight into the gaps and strengths within partnerships.
To enable all CDRPs to improve performance, the Government Office North East has used the information identified as a means of assessing the development needs of partners to effectively function within an intelligence-led business environment. This will result in bespoke training events.
While the process of supporting skills awareness and capacity building will vary, we recommend that partnerships should consider the following steps:
- Determine the skills and knowledge required for the CDRP to deliver effectively – particularly in regards to effective partnership working.
- Examine what skills and experience currently exists within the CDRP – incorporating learning from previous experience and from other similar CDRPs.
- Match the skills to the requirement.
- Identify any gaps that need to be addressed in order to achieve effective delivery – focusing on improving outcomes.
- Identify actions to build capacity internally – including processes to monitor and review the impact.
Where gaps are identified, improving the skills and knowledge of partnership staff might be reflected as a strategic objective in the partnership plan. Strategies to address this might include:
- Ensuring that skills transfer is an integral part of any commissioning process.
- Seconding experts from individual partners to help build capacity.
- Pooling support services across responsible authorities, cooperating bodies and partnering bodies, such as joint training and job-shadowing to ensure skills within the partnership are reviewed and used to maximum benefit.
