In partnership with

1. Collaboration not competition – looking at how to encourage and create more effective partnership workingFrances Beecher, Llamau In partnership with

2. Collaboration not competition “If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail.”

3. Llamau Llamau - ‘progression’ or ‘leap’ in old Welsh, is a specialist support provider with over 24 years experience of working with vulnerable homeless people. Llamau was one of the first specialist Young Person’s support providers in Wales Our specialism is engaging with high need people who have a history of non-engagement with statutory bodies

4. Collaborative working • Partnership working – includes a range of ways that organisations can work together • Options range from informal networks and alliances, through joint delivery of projects to full mergers • Collaborative working can last for a fixed length of time or can form a permanent arrangement

5. There is a clear drive Interest and a push towards more collaborative working has been growing over the last few years. • An increased government emphasis on the third sector’s role in public service delivery • A drive within the sector to improve its effectiveness • A need for more efficient use of resources • Public & Government perception that there are too many charities

6. How to encourage and create more effective partnership working • Honesty • Clarity • Vision • Purpose We are not in a healthy place – there is mistrust, misperception and fear

7. Collaborative Working • Carry out charitable activities, eg. service delivery • Campaigning, policy work • Improve strategic efficiency • Share premises or back office functions, eg. payroll, purchasing, fundraising

8. Wealth of Experience We have to build on the pioneering work of the women’s movement Partnership is Key Women’s Aid, police, health service, probation, WAG, courts and other third sector providers

9. Llamau is a Collaborative Organisation • Llamau is quite unique in the sector, we regard ourselves as a healthy ‘crossbreed’ rather than a thoroughbred • We have merged with six organizations: John Rowley Trust, CRAG, CSWHG’s, M.W.A. and C.W.A • We have taken over several failing or closing projects and their staff from Barnardos NCH and Caerlas • All of which have given us significant experience and a unique insight into successful collaborative working and partnerships. We believe our rich bloodline in Llamau makes us stronger

10. Collaborative Partnership EXPLORE EXTRACT EXPLOIT • Find collaborative partners but these have to be trusted partners • Explore unmet needs, new opportunities and potential innovations • Create competitive new ideas/services • Filter the ideas/pilot/model • Build and create collaborative teams • Create buy in with an investable proposal with evidenced and clear business plans • Form new collaborative business arrangements • Firm up the necessary commitments= Capacity and resources • Coordinate Project launch- publicity and communications

11. Improved or wider range of services for service users Financial savings and better use of resources Knowledge and information sharing Sharing the risk in new projects Stronger, united voice Better co-ordination of activities Outcomes do not justify the time and resources invested Loss of flexibility in working practices Loss of autonomy Cultural mismatch between organisations Mission drift Damage to organisation if collaboration is unsuccessful Potential benefits and costs of collaboration

12. You don’t own your reputation. It lives and breathes in those that interact with you • “Llamau tend to come to you with the answer before you ask the question” • “They have the ability to tailor services to meet local demand yet draw upon the experiences and expertise of the organisation as a whole” • “Llamau are a reliable, inquisitive, inspirational and outward looking organisation” • “The best thing about Llamau is its commitment to the clients it serves and to establishing collaborative relationships with other agencies” • 100% of strategic stakeholders found Llamau to be a proactive, competent organisation, creative and imaginative working in a collaborative and participative style with partner agencies

13. Some examples of Collaborative Partnerships • Development of specialist training for young people and healthy relationships/ domestic abuse with DSV Coordinator and DART • Development of housing DA protocol with Merthyr LA and HA’s • SAFE Projects • Monmouthshire MAC / Teulu Partnership/Caerphilly MAC • Family Mediation • L4L

14. The only thing harder than starting something new Is stopping something old

15. DO Share the Risks & rewards Always focus on the Who Suspend judgments, preconceptions Target Quality then Quality Connect the Service Delivery Dots DON’T Overestimate your own brilliance Expect something for nothing Manage Risk down to Zero Forget the ongoing elements of communication – internal and external Delay through too much analysis and wanting everything right Lessons we have learnt

16. Over to You • Ideas – you are the experts you are ideally placed to spot the gaps in service delivery and where there is unmet need. • You already have effective partnerships on the ground – where can these be expanded? • How can we develop better understanding & trust between us?

17. If you want to go fast go aloneIf you want to go far – go together