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Concord Associates is an independent management development consultancy which was established in 1996 and which became a limited company in 2004. The Company offers over 20 years hands on practice and management experience within a wide range of health and social care settings, and in both the statutory and independent (voluntary and private) sector. We work with large authorities, central government departments and also with small providers of care and private companies. We have worked across the UK and also internationally. We provide the same quality assured service at every level. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills combine with a strong customer focus and client relationship management to give this consultancy an excellent track record in successful service improvement and improved outcomes for adults, older people, and children and families.

Outcome focused
We are an outcome focused organisation which places the user of services at the centre of what we do and concentrates on 'what works' whilst operating at the leading edge of performance improvement in health and social care services. We work ‘with’ our clients to develop bespoke solutions to meet their needs; we do not impose a ready made formula. We aim to leave every job having transferred the skills and the knowledge that will sustain any improvements made into the future and our references are testament to our success in this area.

Knowledge and policy base
We have a sound knowledge and research base in addition to practice and management experience and we are skilled at translating current legislation, policy and guidance into local application and performance outcomes. We also work with local authorities to identify the direction of travel in terms of policy development to enable us to work with staff to anticipate next steps and to make strategic plans accordingly.

Mediation
We offer a mediation service. One of our directors is a professionally accredited mediator and specialist in alternative dispute resolution. We are aligned with the Department of Cultural Affairs Proportionate Dispute Resolution Strategy and Her Majesties Courts Service wish to raise awareness of mediation as an alternative to court.

Management Consultancy Team
For consultancy tasks we offer either a Director of Concord Associates to deliver the programme of work required, or we provide a small and focused team drawn from a tried and tested group of specialist associates which is always led by a Director of Concord Associates. Our teams are small, bespoke, stable, and unchanging throughout the programme and will become known personally to the clients that we work with.

The Company is led by two Directors. Peter Wiggin specialises in the independent sector (voluntary and private provision) and in local authority service provision. He also has an excellent track record and knowledge of policy specific to Wales. He is a registered social worker and leads on service evaluation and service specific strategy development. He is a tutor with the Open University and creates and delivers his own courses in aspects of social care practice and management development. Peter leads the international work.

Christa Wiggin specialises in Central and Local Government work and is the identified lead for the Concord Associates delivery related to the DfES Children’s Services Improvement Framework. She focuses on performance improvement and strategic management, and works most closely with our teams of practice improvement associates looking at improving social work practice, assessment, care management and safeguarding. Christa is an accredited mediator and leads the work on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).