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Changing Futures Stoke-on-Trent: Community of Practice update

Author: Lee Dale, Recovery Community Coordinator, Expert Citizens

As part of the Changing Futures programme the Stoke-on-Trent Community of practice is now up and running with the first COP taking place on the 15th September 2022, 12:30-14:30 at the YMCA Hanley. Taking our direction from recent cases discussed at the Multi Agency Resolution Group (MaRG) the theme we will look at in this session is arson and fire setting in the context of accessing accommodation. We know through experience that any instance of fire setting, when recorded in notes or risk assessments, can act as a significant barrier to access accommodation and we hope by exploring this as a group we can begin to unpack this common issue.

The themes of the COP going forwards will be guided by current issues relating to practice around supporting people with multiple disadvantage, please keep an eye out for updates and If you would like to find out more about the COP or the MaRG, or if you would like to take part, please contact lee.dale@expertcitizens.org.uk

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Changing Futures Community of Practice – Terms of Reference

 Background

A Community of Practice (CoP) is defined as: “A group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly” (Lave and Wenger) CoP’s are usually informal, self-organising, and span across departments with members distributed throughout an organisation.

To that end, the purpose of this Community of Practice is to create a learning structure that allows staff across public, private and third sector organisations to learn alongside people with lived experience to promote best practice and build common capability in supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage across the city of Stoke on Trent.

Objectives

The objectives of the CoP will vary over time, but will include:

  • To gather, and seek agreement on potential solutions around common barriers, and themes identified from previous MaRG sessions.
  • To provide a forum for the cooperation of activities where Changing Futures CoP adds value to existing initiatives.
  • To identify linkages and opportunities for collaborative frontline practice and strategic projects.
  • To advise other bodies in the organisation on matters relating to supporting people facing multiple disadvantage, and on cross-cutting issues of interest to the CoP.
  • To provide an informal point of contact for organisational staff on the specific benefit or interest area that affects people facing multiple disadvantage.

Membership and Structure

Membership of the CoP is open to all organisations with an interest in supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage in Stoke on Trent or those that share similar interests, goals, and or objectives.

The CoP will be a two hour-long quarterly physical meeting, with video conferencing (where available) for remote members. There is a standing agenda which outlines 5 main sections to each meeting;

1. New Members Introduction;

2. Current Organisational Initiatives Roundtable: Where each member has 1 minute to describe what they are currently working on and how members can help each other;

3. Focus Presentation: A 20 minute presentation (as planned by the CoP chair) on a specific topic of interest. This presentation may be from CoP members, other staff and external organisations.

4. Open Discussion / Coffee: 20 minutes allocated to an open (but still moderated) discussion on any important topics;

5. Future Agenda and Next Meeting Timeframe.

All members are expected to share their expertise, and any documents or other resources they have which they think will be useful to all members.

The responsibility of CoP Chair will rotate between members each meeting. The chair is responsible for:

  • Facilitating group discussion to ensure that communication is appropriate and respectful;
  • Developing the agenda and/or objectives for the subsequent CoP meeting;
  • Sending out regular messages to all CoP members about the next meeting/activity.

* Unless otherwise agreed, any costs arising from activities under the CoP will be borne by the Member or participant that incurs them.

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Max Gibson
Author