Decision details

There is a need to develop and support learning and thinking with GM partners around the development of collaborative social learning. It is necessary to seek additional support to develop and embed the Communities of Practice model due to the capacity challenges amongst the GM Youth Justice Strategic Leads.

The anticipated outcomes of the model will include:

• Community of practice approach will be embedded within Youth Justice Services, with links to Children Services where relevant across GM.

• Young people in LAs across GM will benefit from improved practice knowledge and experience and sharing of best practice that arise from a process of collective learning amongst those delivering services in the YJ domain. This will include engaging in joint activities and discussions, sharing of experiences, learning and tools.

Dr Alex Chard was commissioned by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to develop a package of collaborative social learning for Youth Justice.

That an envelope of £30,000 be allocated from the Youth Justice Transformation Fund to commission Dr Alex Chard, YCTCS Ltd to develop Communities of Practice. The Communities of Practice will support the ambition within the Greater Manchester Youth Justice Transformation Plan to consider findings from quality assurance activity and national reviews/notifications to deliver the ‘best’ practice across GM.

Part 1 – Foundation work – The community of people
£18,000.00
• Senior leadership workshop –to reach a shared understanding of Communities of Practice and consult on the process going forward.
(4 days total).
• The consultancy/coaching around establishing the relationships/the community of people and the shared goals/understanding etc.
(16 days total).
Part 2 – Online Community of Practice – Build and Engagement Plans
£7,200.00
• The building of the online CoP will have multiple benefits to sustaining cohesion and effectiveness of the community of people.
(8 days – 4 days per group).
Part 3 – Project Administration
£3,600.00
• Planning, preparation and reporting back.

Travel and Subsistence envelope.
£1200
• Travel and subsistence costs.

The proposal was agreed at the Justice and Rehabilitation Executive on 30th October 2023.