In 2022 we ran our first Capability Development Scheme for seven community organisations. Having reflected on that programme and, with the benefit of participants’ feedback, we propose to run the programme again, this time in a new, longer and more in-depth format.
In recent years there has been a considerable change in the context in which community organisations are operating. Those working in housing, health and social care need to respond to changes such as the introduction of Integrated Care Systems or social outcomes contracts, for example and are seeking to take their place as experienced, needed, commissionable organisations.
There is also a real and urgent need for the development and delivery of evidence-informed policies and services and there are increasing opportunities for community organisations to co-lead health and social care research as partners or investigators and so, when we launch this new programme, we will be adding a “research readiness” module.
We are launching this expanded programme of support because we believe that if community organisations are to take their rightful place at the heart of an improved system of health and social care for older people, we need to invest in ensuring that they have the capacity, research literacy, supportive networks and access to a robust evidence base to do so.
We will be working with two expert organisations in delivering this programme: Moore Kingston Smith Nonprofit Advisory and the University of Birmingham’s School of Social Policy.
A cohort of eight community organisations will follow a three-year programme of shared learning, encompassing strategy, sustainability, impact and research readiness, literacy, and engagement.
Each year will:
- commence with a residential over two half days.
- comprise four half-day virtual sessions.
- include regular online sessions for peer support and shared learning
- have around five hours of offline video content featuring faculty members and guest experts
- conclude with a further residential to consolidate the year’s learning.
Further information and to apply
Read about the experiences of both Moore Kingston Smith and some of the pilot cohort.