‘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

Thank You!

Margaret-Ann Brunjes

Glasgow Homelessness Network

mbrunjes@ghn.org.uk