Engaging people and planning
Involving people in planning has many benefits for social service providers and community organisations.
These include:
- Securing a strong sense of ownership from participants therefore increasing the likelihood of successful implementation
- accessing a broader range of ideas and perspectives
- avoiding pitfalls caused by ignorance of the day-to-day realities of a 'target' population
- building connections between people and providing a route for new leaders to emerge.
Methods for engaging people
At the heart of successful efforts to involve people in planning is respect for what all participants people have to say. It's important to run participatory planning exercises in ways that are easy for all of your target population to get involved.
There are many ways of involving people in planning. Common methods available include workshops, surveys, community meetings, and forums. There is no shortage of experience that is relevant to providers and community organisations.
Participatory planning approaches are not without challenges. Involving people takes time, disagreement between different parties can occur, and it can be hard getting all the right people around the table.
Participatory planning resources
Community Engagement, Tamarack Institute (Canada)
Examples and literature about community engagement which hinges on citizens shifting from being passive to taking active leadership roles.
Deciding where to start, The Community Tool Box (USA)
A comprehensive guide promoting community health and development by connecting people, ideas and resources developed by the University of Kansas.
Good Practice Participate (NZ)
A resource for government employees that promotes good practices in community engagement.
Guide: The participation of adult service users, including older people, in developing social care, Social Care Institute for Excellence (UK)
A guide focusing on how practitioners and managers in social care can initiate and sustain the participation of adult service users, including older people, in developing social care.
People and participation.net (UK)
A source of practical information for those working to involve people. Includes process planner, methods, a library, case studies and ask an expert.
