‘Shared Solutions’
as an innovative, collaborative
policy making method
| Contents
o Shared Solutions The Theory
o Shared Solutions In Practice
o Shared Solutions Outcomes
The Theory | Benefits of participation
Participation should have a
positive benefit for the person
being involved. It should also
influence at one (or more!) level:
Practice
o services people use
Policy
o plans and strategies
Perception
o communities and society
The Theory | Shared Solutions uses the
principles of ‘coproduction’
“Co-production means delivering services in an equal and
reciprocal relationship between professionals, people using
services, their families and their neighbours.
… early evidence suggests that this is an effective way to
deliver better outcomes, often for less money”.
National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts
www.nesta.org.uk
The Theory | principles of coproduction
• Recognising people as assets
• Building on people’s existing capabilities
• Mutual responsibilities and expectations
• Engaging peer and social support networks
• Blurring distinctions…
The Theory | What is Shared Solutions?
o ‘Shared Solutions’ is the Scottish model of ‘coproduction’
used to tackle homelessness issues
o Also used in Glasgow to tackle the broader but related issues
of poverty and inequality
o Continuum – cycle of consultation and workshops
o Blends the full ranges of expertise needed to find enduring
solutions - policy makers, social workers, communities and
homeless people
o Builds consensus using a democratic approach to the key
problems and best solutions
The Theory | Why is it effective?
• Can deal with hugely complex issues in a simple way
• A range of perspectives can be considered
collaboratively rather than individually
• Participants can see the challenges facing others
• Brings policy makers closer to service users
The Theory | Why is it effective?
• Transforms our way of thinking about power, resources,
roles, partnerships and risks
• Recognises that ALL people have assets and expertise
which can help improve policies and services
• Focuses on solutions, rather than just problems
• Continuum of accountability, rather than a single
consultation exercise
The Theory | Some Challenges
o Policy-making can be SLOW… often no immediate outcome
o Changing policy, not just context or process
o Complacency – homeless people and policy makers
o Hostility – homeless people and policy makers
o Representation
o Facilitation
The Theory | What helps?
1. Favourable legislative Framework in Scotland
o For Homelessness: every unintentionally homeless person is
legally entitled to a settled home
o For Participation: regulation and inspection of NGOs and local
government to demonstrate participation of service users
The Theory | What helps?
2. Desire to Develop Good Practice
o Training, Seminars and an online resource exchange about
participation of homeless people
o SHIEN: Scottish Homelessness Involvement & Empowerment
Network (led by Glasgow Homelessness Network, funded by
Scottish Government)
o Coproduction beginning to be considered a ‘game-changer’
that could radically improve policies and services
In Practice | Shared Solutions: How it works
• Roundtable discussions about what is important to participants
• Small group consensus and priority setting
In Practice | How it works
• Voting Wall: full group consensus and priority setting
• Finding and recording practical solutions
• Should be energetic! Lots of colour and movement
In Practice | What can it be used for?
Anything…
• Setting the direction
• Imagining the future
• Creating new ideas
• Resolving conflict
• Building morale
• Consulting with partners
• Learning about other’s perspectives
• Sharing solutions
Event:
This is our Community!
Local People at the Heart
of Housing Options
When & Where:
Stirling, Scotland 2014
Participants:
Over 100 people
In Practice | Case 1
In Practice | purpose of the event
‘Housing Options’ is a new national housing policy led
by national government and delivered regionally:
• To explore the extent to which local people influence
local housing matters
• To highlight the benefits of local people being more
involved in local housing matters
• To bring together a range of people’s personal and
professional perspectives
Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Event priorities taken forward by the planning structures
for local housing options model at regional level:
• More professional development regarding housing markets
and capacity
• Commitment to more participation of local people, including
homeless people, in the housing options approach
• More promotion of housing options direct to the public (e.g. via
council tax forms), but also creative routes to raise awareness
via peer educators, social networking, television etc.
Event:
Our Community
Shared Solutions!
When & Where:
Glasgow, Scotland 2013
Participants:
Over 100 people
In Practice | Case 2
In Practice | purpose of the event
• Partnership with the Greater Glasgow regional Health
Board of the National Health Service (NHS)
• To inform the health inequalities policy of the local health
partnership
• To inform the development of local health services that
are sensitive to the different forms of inequality
Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Event priorities directly informed the development plan
and policy of the local health partnership:
• Communication & Information – reaching people
• Staff Attitudes – involving and respecting people
• Access to Services – making it easier for people
Event:
GHN Annual Conference:
Ready for Change
When & Where:
Glasgow, Scotland 2014
Participants:
200 people
In Practice | Case 3
In Practice | purpose of the event
Due to housing challenges in the City of Glasgow,
the local authority instigated a strategic review of
homelessness policy and practice:
• To inform a strategic review of homelessness policy in
Glasgow
• To collaborate in ensuring person-centred services for
homeless people in Glasgow
Outcomes | What changed as a result?
Directly inform the new homeless strategy and policy in
Glasgow. Priority outcomes will now be monitored:
• Creating choice – most excluded homeless people
• Leaving Prison – returning citizens
• Housing led responses to homelessness
• The role of local people in tackling homelessness
• The role of social media in tackling homelessness