Local Involvement Networks - an overview

1. Local Involvement Networks - an overview Rebecca Keeling –LINk Host Manager

2. LINks • LINks exist across England, one for every Local Authority area • Established in 2007 by the Government to ensure that the public can have a greater say in how their health and social care services are delivered and commissioned

3. How LINK Devon works • A Host organisation supports work of volunteer network (EDVSA on behalf of DACVS) • Funded by DoH through LA • Strategic Planning Group govern LINk work (volunteer led) • Active participants representation and involvement

4. Statutory LINk functions Local Govt and Public Involvement in health Act 2007 • Promote patient and public involvement, and seek views which are fed back to commissioners and providers • Has right to enter and view publically funded services • Monitor and scrutinise services

5. Statutory LINk functions • Comment on changes to local services • Refer issues to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee • Community engagement and hard to reach communities • Responding to consultations • Encouraging active participation

6. Relationships • Community and voluntary sector (DACVS, Joint Engagement Board and wider) • Participants in network (1000+ groups and individuals) • Devon County Council, NHS Devon and NHS Trusts, CQC, GOSW, SHA • Providers and GP Consortia

7. Enter and view function • Planned visits as part of work plan • Unannounced visits in response to a concern highlighted by the community • Un-announced visits should not take place if any other approach could produce the information the LINk is seeking LINk Devon wish to work with providers as a critical friend and intends to use it’s enter and view function to ensure that care in Devon is excellent and to highlight areas of good practice.

8. Rationale for Enter and View Pilot • To undertake a monitoring role on behalf of residents or users of services to check on standards of care and dignity within social care settings • Work alongside providers to establish an agreed procedure for any future visits and to identify and highlight good practice examples • All visits will be carefully planned with the provider with due regard to legislation, the LINk Code of Conduct and privacy and dignity issues • Visits carried out by at least 2 trained and CRB checked Authorised LINk Participants

9. Outcomes • To visit one or two care homes in Devon and a domiciliary care setting • Providers will be able to evidence openness and accountability and to showcase good practice as well as being able to act on any feedback for improvements from the resulting reports • Greater public confidence in services provided if monitored independently and on behalf of patients

10. Outcomes • Good practice can be shared publically and implemented by other providers where appropriate • Providers will have confidence in the LINk as a critical friend and may wish to explore other ways of working with LINk to improve involvement and participation of patients, residents and family carers • Reports and recommendations will be published and shared with the CQC and LA

11. Contacts Any questions? • www.linkdevon.org.uk • linkdevon@edvsa.org.uk • 01404 549045