Work Shadowing Across Sectors

Suffolk County Council, Ipswich & East Suffolk/West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, Suffolk Congress and Community Action Suffolk have teamed up to offer the opportunity for senior staff to workshadow colleagues. It is intended for shadowing between the voluntary and public sectors (SCC and IESCCG).

Why get involved?

We understand that your time is precious and limited, however investing around a day (or two half days) of your time will have the following benefits:

• Improve cross sector understanding of the role and responsibilities of staff within the public and voluntary sectors
• Develop an understanding of the challenges that both sectors face and share ideas on how the VCS and public can work more effectively together
• Provide an opportunity for you to make some valuable contacts and experience first-hand the day to day work, practices, and decision making rationale

Next Steps

STEP 1

Register now. Please book a ticket relevant to your organisation. If places are full please join our waiting list. We will endeavour to find a fellow participant for you. Note: Places are limited, so you may be asked to join a waiting list for the next intake of participants.

STEP 2

Attend the Meet and Greet event at Suffolk Food Hall on Thursday 11 June (9am) This is an opportunity to hear from guest speakers from all partner sectors and to meet a range of colleagues from across the sectors. You will have the opportunity to identify your prefered work shadow partner.

STEP 3

You will be assigned a match; it is your responsibility of contacting your assigned shadowing person and arranging your work shadow day/2 half days. We ask that this is completed by 30th September 2015 and you evaluate your experience in a provided evaluation form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the scheme?

Work shadowing across sectors is a scheme for employees of Suffolk County Council (SCC), Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (IESCCG) to have the opportunity to shadow Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations - and vice versa. This initiative came out of the cross sector Working Together Forum in order to strengthen the partnerships between the public and voluntary sectors.

What is the Working Together Forum?

The Working Together Forum provides a mechanism for the statutory and VCS to improve relationships and build trust in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Suffolk. It provides a space to share key strategic opportunities and challenges for both sectors

Who can participate?

Work shadowing is intended for Chief Executives and Senior Managers of SCC, VCS and IECCG.

• SCC: Grade 8 and above.
• IESCCG/WSCCG: Senior Members of staff
• VCS: Chief Executives and Senior Members of staff.

How long is it for and when do I need to do it by?

Work shadowing takes place at a mutually convenient time, arranged between participants following the event and must be completed by 30th September 2015 this can take place over 1 day/2 half days.

Does it need to be reciprocal?

It can be done on a reciprocal and non reciprocal basis.

When is the Launch Event?

The launch will be held on the 11th June from 9:00am – 11:30am at Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, IP9 2AB

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Ample free carparking is available to the front of Suffolk Food Hall

What is the schedule for the launch event?

09:00 Registration, Coffee, Networking

09:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:45 Meet and greet (session 1)

10:15 Coffee and Networking

10:45 Meet and greet (session 2)

11:15 Complete selection form with choices for workshadowing

11:20 Closing Remarks (Melanie Chew, CEO Community Action Suffolk)

11:30 Ends

What will happen at the launch event?

You will get to hear experiences and views on work shadowing from speakers on the day. You will have an opportunity to network, ‘speed date’ and indicate your interest in who you wish to work shadow.

How will I find somebody to shadow?

Participants will fill in a selection form indicating up to three people they would be interested in shadowing. Following the event, organisers will do their best to match participants to at least one of their choices, however if this is not possible then we will allocate a match. Matched host/workshadowers will then be contacted with details of their match

What happens after the event?

You will be assigned a match; it is your responsibility of contacting your assigned shadowing person and arranging your work shadow day/2 half days. We ask that this is completed by 30th September 2015 and you evaluate your experience in the provided evaluation form.

What happens if I am not interested in shadowing anybody at the event?

If a participant has a particular interest in work shadowing in an area not represented at the launch event, please let the organisers know and they will try to recruit an alternative post.

What about confidentiality?

Confidentiality and other agreements need to be adhered too and signed. These are to be discussed with your work host.

What am I agreeing to when I sign up to the scheme?

• Confidentiality agreement .
• It is hoped to be a reciprocal arrangement with your host but this is not obligatory.
• Responsibility of contacting your assigned shadowing person and arranging your work shadow within the timeframe.
• Evaluation of your work shadowing, (evaluation form will be provided/survey monkey)

I cannot attend the event but am interested in work shadowing, Can I Still apply?

If you are unable to attend the initial launch event and would like to take part in the scheme then let us know. We hope to offer similar opportunities once we have completed this pilot.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Suffolk County Council:

Dominic.munro-mccarthy@suffolk.gov.uk

Ipswich East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group:

Louise.hardwick@ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk

West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group

Samantha.fowler@nhs.net

Community Action Suffolk: Vanessa.bally@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk